By Bekki Antonelli -
After a less-than-exciting 2023-24 season, the Minnesota Wild finished 6th in the Central Division and missed the playoffs. Intent on producing better outcomes in the upcoming seasons, the Wild locked Brock Faber into an eight-year, $68 million contract extension after finishing runner-up for the Calder Trophy behind Connor Bedard, the Chicago Blackhawks’ No. 1 pick in 2023.
While extending Faber was an important move, the Wild decided they had to shake things up further down the roster. The Wild added Graeme Clarke in a minor-league trade, where they dealt Adam Beckman to the New Jersey Devils.
It was a workmanlike move, not nearly as flashy as extending Faber, but the small deal could be meaningful for Minnesota. Clarke and Beckman had comparable AHL careers, with Clarke arguably being a step ahead.
In four seasons with the Binghamton Devils and Utica Comets (both NJD affiliates), Clarke produced 68 goals and 149 points in 218 games. He also showed consistency and growth during his AHL career. In his first two pro seasons, he scored 18 goals and 42 points in 83 games (0.58 points per game). Following that, Clarke posted back-to-back 25-goal seasons en route to 107 points in 135 games (0.79 ppg).
In those same four years, Beckman mustered just 57 goals and 108 points in 181 games (0.60 ppg) for the Iowa Wild. That may not be far behind Clarke’s production, and Beckman also showed progression. After starting with 14 goals and 39 points in his first 77 games, he raised his game for the past two seasons. Beckman scored 43 goals and 69 points in his past 104 contests with Iowa.
Both players were on the trade block because their NHL clubs didn’t seem to have much time for them. At first glance, Beckman may seem like a better bet as a player with more NHL experience. However, he never made the kind of impact the Wild wanted to see from him. Beckman has historically bounced back and forth between St. Paul and Des Moines, playing 25 games in Minnesota over the past three seasons.
While many wanted to see the youngster get more rope with the Minnesota coaching staff, his points never justified keeping him on the roster. Beckman had zero goals and 3 assists in the NHL. Perhaps the constant shifting between programs made it difficult for Beckman to build team chemistry. The Devils are probably betting on that being the case. But ultimately, he didn’t perform well enough to stay in Minnesota.
Clarke is more of a wild card, as the Devils gave Clarke even fewer opportunities. He only made the NHL last season, appearing in just 3 games where he didn’t produce any points. Hopefully, if the Wild can give Clarke more ice time, he can prove himself in the NHL and reward the Wild with the impact Beckman never could provide.
While the Devils didn’t see an NHL contributor in Clarke, he’s proven he has something to offer, even if he ultimately goes the way of Beckman. His 50 goals in the past two seasons tied him for 11th in the AHL, and that’s no accident. Just last year, J.D. Burke of Elite Prospects ranked him as New Jersey’s fifth-best prospect, saying of him:
“The standout quality of Clarke's game is the same as ever – his shot. He can send the puck on goal with force and precision from nearly any position and off of either foot, making himself a constant threat to find twine from just about any corner of the offensive zone. His one-timer, in particular, was so potent that it quickly became the focal point of the Comets' power play last season.”
Even better, after a slow start to his pro career, he worked to better deploy his best weapon rather than wait for his stick to heat up. “Low-percentage shots have since been exchanged for step-in wristers and snaps that showcase his newfound ability to manage space and improve the odds on each try,” detailed Burke, who noted his greater commitment to his two-way game.
Will it translate into Clarke becoming a role player in Minnesota? Who knows? But it will be interesting to see if this small shift in the Wild organization can impact the upcoming season. Hopefully, the hungry NHL newbie can find a way to make a splash in St. Paul, bringing a spark that Minnesota desperately needs for next season.
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