The Los Angeles Kings have a major decision to make regarding young defenseman Brandt Clarke. With veteran blueliner Drew Doughty returning to the lineup, Clarke—a 21-year-old former first-round pick—has found himself as a healthy scratch, igniting NHL trade rumors.
NHL insider Kevin Weekes fueled speculation, stating, “With the return of Doughty to the Kings lineup, Brandt Clarke—who leads the team in points by a defenseman—appears to be a healthy scratch tonight.”
This situation has prompted talk that Clarke could be on the move, and the Ottawa Senators have been heavily linked as a potential trade partner. Given Ottawa’s long-term need for a right-shot puck-moving defenseman, it’s no surprise that the Senators would be interested in acquiring a high-upside blueliner like Clarke.
Ottawa Senators Rumors: Is a Trade for Clarke on the Horizon?
The Kings have long been seen as a team looking to strengthen their goaltending depth and add some size to their defense. A proposed trade scenario making waves in NHL circles sees the Kings sending Clarke to the Senators in exchange for:
- Ottawa Senators receive: Brandt Clarke
- LA Kings receive: Mads Sogaard, Carter Yakemchuk, and a 2025 second-round pick
From Ottawa’s perspective, adding Clarke to a young core featuring Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot, and Tyler Kleven would give them one of the best blue lines in the NHL for years to come. The Senators would have to part with a top goaltending prospect in Sogaard and a solid blue-chip prospect in Yakemchuk, along with a valuable first-round pick, but Clarke’s offensive upside might make it worth the gamble.
For the Kings, this deal would add a promising goalie in Sogaard, who could be a long-term option between the pipes, and Yakemchuk would bring a a big, right shot defender with two-way upside to their blue line. The first-round pick sweetens the deal and gives L.A. more flexibility to either draft an impact player or flip the pick for further roster upgrades.
Will the Kings Actually Move Brandt Clarke?
Trading Clarke would be a shocking decision by the Kings, considering he is still developing and already showing signs of being a top-four defenseman. However, with the Kings in win-now mode, the organization may feel they need a more experienced player for Clarke.
The Senators are clearly in the market for a defenseman, and given the team’s aggressive nature in trade discussions, they could push hard to land Clarke before the NHL trade deadline.
One thing is certain—if Clarke continues to sit in the press box while Doughty eats up the majority of minutes, NHL trade rumors will only intensify in the coming weeks.
Find the Latest Ottawa Senators News & NHL Trade Rumors
Want to stay up to date with all the latest Ottawa Senators rumors, breaking NHL news, and find out what channel is the Senators game on TV today? Visit nhltraderumor.com—bookmark us and sign up for our newsletter below!
Your article doesn’t make sense. You mentioned that LA receives assets for the future, but then say they are in a win now mode. Which is it ? If they are in a win now mode, this trade doesn’t help.