The Detroit Red Wings have had a pretty busy summer. It is understandable, as they extended their playoff drought to nine years in 2024-25.
The Red Wings addressed their goaltending this offseason, acquiring John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks. They also signed forwards James van Riemsdyk and Mason Appleton. Then on defense, they brought in Travis Hamonic and Jacob Bernard-Docker.
While the Red Wings have made multiple moves this summer, they should not be done yet. It is clear that they desperately need a top-four, right-shot defenseman. The Los Angeles Kings offer a fascinating option in young blueliner Brandt Clarke.
Because of this, Heavy Sports has a trade proposal that would send Clarke to the Red Wings in a major move.
Red Wings Get:
- Brandt Clarke
Kings Get:
- 2026 First-Round Pick (Top 10 Protected)
- 2028 Fourth-Round Pick
- Shai Buium
Brandt Clarke Is a Prime Trade Candidate
Clarke is no stranger to being in the rumor mill. The right-shot defenseman was the subject of trade speculation leading up to the 2025 NHL trade deadline, but ended up staying put. However, questions about his future in Los Angeles have started back up during this offseason.
Due to the rumors surrounding Clarke, Lyle Richardson has the Kings defenseman at the No. 5 spot on his latest NHL Trade Board for Bleacher Report.
“However, there’s speculation that the Kings may have considered trading Brandt this summer,” Richardson wrote. “During his Aug. 19 appearance on the DFO Rundown, Michael Russo of The Athletic said there were points during the offseason when the Kings weighed that possibility.”
Richardson then added:
“Russo said that Kings’ general manager Ken Holland wants to watch Clarke’s performance this season before making a decision. That could make him a player of interest in this season’s rumor mill, especially if the Kings struggle in the Western Conference playoff race.”
With this, Clarke is certainly a player worth keeping an eye on once the season gets here. If the Kings end up making him available, the Red Wings would be incredibly wise to target him.
Clarke Would Give Red Wings’ Blueline Nice Boost
When looking at the Red Wings’ current blueline, there is no question that Clarke would improve it. Given his skill and high upside, he could give the Red Wings a real answer for the right side of their second pairing. With Moritz Seider and Clarke both being young, they could be a long-term one-two punch for Detroit’s right side if the Red Wings acquired the LA defender.
Furthermore, with Clarke being an offensive defenseman, he would also give the Red Wings another player to work with on their power play. With this, there could be a strong fit here between Clarke and the Red Wings.
Why Red Wings Could Land Clarke With This Trade Offer
If the Kings end up shopping Clarke this season, they will expect a significant return for him. Clarke is a former eighth-overall pick and only 22 years old, after all, so his trade value is high. The Red Wings offering their 2026 first-round pick, 2028 fourth-round pick, and Shai Buium could be enough to get the deal done.
With this trade package, the Kings would have the potential to land a new promising prospect with Detroit’s first-round pick. They would also land an interesting prospect in Buium, who has the potential to become a solid NHL defenseman. As for the fourth-round pick, that could work as a nice sweetener to get this deal done.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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