The Los Angeles Kings are focused on keeping one of their top players, Adrian Kempe, for the long term. The Swedish winger has been a key part of the team’s offense and leadership group for years. As his contract nears its end, the Kings are working to sign him to a new deal and make sure he stays in Los Angeles.
But while Kempe’s contract talks move forward, another player seems to be affected by the delay. A young defenseman has found himself in a tricky spot because of the team’s focus on its star forward.
Is Brandt Clarke Becoming the Unexpected Casualty of Kempe’s Contract Talks?
As reported by NHL insider James Murphy of RG.org, several NHL teams have shown interest in Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke. However, sources say the Kings have no plans to trade him. Clarke, who is 22, has become a consistent presence on the blue line and is viewed as an important part of the team’s future.
Clarke is currently playing under a three-year rookie contract worth about $2.6 million, carrying a cap hit of $863,334 per season. His deal runs through the end of the 2025–26 season, after which he will become a restricted free agent. That gives the Kings the right to keep him, but it also means they’ll soon need to make a decision about his next deal.
Still, the Kings’ attention is mainly on re-signing Kempe, which has caused extensions for other players to be put on hold. The 29-year-old winger is in the final year of his four-year, $22 million contract. So far this season, Kempe has six goals and ten assists in 14 games, once again showing his importance to the team.
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According to RG.org, general manager Ken Holland wants to sort out Kempe’s deal first before turning to Clarke and others. It’s a logical move, but it has led to outside speculation about Clarke’s situation. Other NHL teams have noticed the delay and are keeping an eye on Clarke’s contract status.
“Teams are circling on Kenny because they know he’s gotta figure out Kempe,” a league source told RG.org.
As Clarke continues to perform well, his value grows, making rival teams even more interested in him.
For now, the Kings remain clear that Clarke is not available for trade. Head coach Jim Hiller and his staff depend on him heavily, and the organization wants to keep him as part of its future. But with Kempe’s contract still waiting to be finalized, Clarke’s extension talks will likely have to wait.
