The Los Angeles Kings are certainly taking calls and dialing themselves as the NHL Trade Deadline approaches. They are also certainly strapped for assets and pieces needed to substantially transform this team from pretender to contender.

One name that floated around a few weeks ago was Brandt Clarke. Blasphemy was the proper word to consider Clarke a potential trade piece. Clarke sat out a couple of games when Drew Doughty made his much-anticipated return from injury, sending media and Kings fans into frenzied trade speculation over the young defender.

But after some games back in the lineup, and with the trade deadline right around the corner, I re-enter the discussion on whether it should be a good idea or not.

Heck No

This was the easy, low-hanging fruit answer, as I'll keep it short.

Clarke is your future number-one defenseman: there's no doubt there. He is the most talented defender the organization has had since they drafted the man he will attempt to replace, or at least fill in a significant void, in Doughty. While not having the defensively sound aspect of Doughty, Clarke might have the best offensive IQ on the entire roster.

As I've written before regarding Jordan Spence, the Kings have whittled down their right-handed defensive depth to three players: Doughty, Clarke, and the aforementioned Spence. Clarke and Spence are the only players left from the mass exodus of right-handed shot departures (See: Brock Faber, Helge Grans, Sean Durzi, Sean Walker, Matt Roy), with the capabilities and skillset to somewhat step into the shoes of Doughty. He may not have the defensive skill or acumen remotely close to Doughty, but his offensive game is something that the Kings have not had in decades.

Trading smartly is done from a position of strength, or, rather, a position that a general manager might see as becoming a position of strength. Is the right-handed depth that deep, meaning that the lefty combination of Vladislav Gavrikov and Mikey Anderson is here to stay? Also, are the Kings desperate enough to win now with Anze Kopitar and Doughty that they will derail the franchise's future? I'm inclined to say heck no.

Devil's Advocate

No, not the New Jersey Devils, but imagine a Šimon Nemec one-for-one? Anyways. Devil's advocate tells me there could be some smoke in this fire.

Clarke is already at or near Doughty's offensive level but will certainly have the longevity ahead to be better throughout his NHL career. The one thing mentioned above is that he will likely never be the defender Doughty was and currently still is, even at the ripe age of 35. While Clarke may improve marginally year-over-year in his defensive acumen, this is still his biggest weakness outside of his skating. That's an actual problem.

This is a franchise that preaches defense first and offense second. The Kings are a franchise that has finished inside the top ten Goals For just twice in the last 25 years: 12-13' (ninth) and 22-23' (tenth). That doesn't sound like a schematic that quite fits the billet for Clarke to thrive over the course of his career.

To add some grease to these wheels, let's look at Arthur Kaliyev and even Samuel Fagemo. Yes, forwards, but still. What is the most glaring weakness for this team year after year: Scoring. Wow, those guys can really fill the net, even at the pro level. Don't do well on defense and along the wall? Shucks.

Furthermore, there is still Doughty. Doughty is 35. Doughty is also a horse and a franchise icon who will have a well-deserved spot in the Hall of Famer once he does announce his retirement, just like Kopitar. That retirement though? Let's be honest; the man is probably playing into his forties and will likely do so as a King. What does that mean for Clarke? Maybe second pairing next year or the year later, so does that mean second pairing until he's 26-27 years old? Second powerplay QB until that age? So, the Kings really want to get four to five years of Clarke's prime as a number one instead of a decade plus?

The franchise is all in on another run with the aging Stanley Cup holdovers from an era past. If that's the case, is Clarke helping you by playing 6-7 minutes when Doughty is in the lineup, or should you dangle his name out there to go land a big fish that can actually pull these old horses toward the promised land? Do what you preach and execute.

For this argument, Clarke goes. Just like a referral into a 'reach' job in real life, Clarke's name gets you into the room if management wants to land a big fish.

Fill out what you think in the poll up top, as these are very interesting times in Los Angeles.

Fun times ahead.