Brandt Clarke is set to remain with the Kings through the 2030-31 season. Thearon W. Henderson / Getty ImagesJune 26, 2026 Updated 7:38 pm EDTThe Los Angeles Kings signed defenseman Brandt Clarke to a five-year contract extension with an average annual value of $7.4 million, the team announced Friday moments before the start of the NHL Draft.Clarke was set to become a restricted free agent next week. Instead, the Kings made sure the 23-year-old blueliner will remain one of their core players, locking the right-handed shot in with a contract that runs through the 2030-31 season.Clarke was the Kings’ top puck-moving defender, leading their blue line with eight goals and 32 assists while playing all 82 games and averaging 19:48 of ice time. All marked career highs for the skilled defender, who is about to move into his third full NHL season.With Clarke’s $7.4 million now on the 2026-27 cap, the Kings have what CapWages estimates is $12.8 million of available space. They’ve yet to take part in the NHL’s trade frenzy this week.The Kings selected Clarke with the eighth pick in the 2021 draft.
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