Written By: Neil Villapiano
There will be several players in the New Jersey Devils prospect pool that will be vying for what looks to be the lone forward roster spot left available. Guys like Alexander Holtz and Nolan Foote seem to be the likeliest ones to earn it. However, there is one prospect flying a bit under the radar that certainly is ready to graduate from the minor league ranks and into the NHL. That player is right winger Graeme, "Gram Cracker" Clarke.
Clarke was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the Devils. The 6'0" forward has been known for his offensive capabilities and is one of several players whom New Jersey has selected from the Ontario Hockey League's Ottawa 67's. The Waconia, Minnesota native has become a byproduct of the Devils' development team, and the stats while playing in the AHL have shown progression.
From year one to year two, Clarke went from scoring eight goals and 18 points to 10 goals and 24 points. In year three which was last season, the 22-year-old broke out tremendously. He ended the campaign with career highs in goals (25), assists (33) and points (58). It's also not just his stats that stand out, but it's his on-ice skills that have developed as well.
“Trying to focus on things like wall work or defensive zone positioning,” Clarke said. “You try to do game-situation stuff in the summer as much as you can” (from "Clarke Has Eyes on the NHL", NHL.com/Devils, September 17th, 2023).
Clarke was invited to the Devils' Prospect Challenge this past week and did not disappoint as he ended up potting a couple of goals including this beauty of a finisher in the last game vs. the Boston Bruins. He very much is ready to make the jump to playing in the NHL. The question is, if he were to earn that last roster spot, what exactly would be his role? It's most likely that that one spot left will be on the team's third line which is used more as a checking/defensive line with a little bit of offense added in. That means that Clarke will have to showcase that he is a complete, two-way forward.
The winger himself acknowledged this and spoke about what he needs bring to training camp.
"I have to show that I can be a well-rounded player, if that’s a third-, fourth-line role to start, whatever I can do to get on the team and go from there,” Clarke said. “Playing the right way and getting the trust of the coaching staff. That’s what I talked about at my year end meeting with the coaches, getting the trust of (Devils head coach) Lindy (Ruff) or anyone else knowing that I can be on the ice” (from "Clarke Has Eyes on the NHL", NHL.com/Devils, September 17th, 2023).
With the first practice of training camp schedule for tomorrow, that will be the first chance that Clarke will have to prove that he belongs in the NHL. He will certainly be a young guy to keep your eye on. Make no mistake about it, Clarke has developed himself into a really solid player and now, he's ready to become a really solid NHL player.
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Nicely written. Clarke looks like an up-and-comer!