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Kings Lock Up Brandt Clarke With Five-Year Extension

The five-year, $37 million deal gives the Kings salary-cap certainty as they prepare roster moves under new coach Peter Laviolette.

Apr 13, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke (92) skates with the puck against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
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Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke (92) against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Overview

  • The Kings announced Friday that they signed 23-year-old defenseman Brandt Clarke to a five-year extension worth $37 million, carrying an average annual value of $7.4 million through the 2030–31 season.
  • Clarke broke out in 2025–26 by playing all 82 games and posting career highs with 8 goals, 32 assists and 40 points while recording 185 blocked shots, a total that ranked third in the NHL.
  • The contract settles the team's top restricted free-agent question well before July 1 and gives Los Angeles predictable cap space to plan trades and free-agent spending this summer.
  • Team and media analysis say the length and price place Clarke in the Kings’ near-term core and signal an intent to increase his responsibility, a move that fits the more aggressive style expected under Laviolette.
  • The signing arrives after another first-round playoff exit and leaves the Kings with other roster decisions to make this offseason, including choices on unrestricted free agents such as Andrei Kuzmenko and Scott Lawton.