A lot of the comments point to the modern ATC curse of Chronic Overcontrol.....I see it everyday. The pilot told min 270 knots might justifiably think he/she was helping the overall situation by speeding up......pilots are not psychic...if you need a speed.....give a speed. As for "min clean" forget it....250 knots outside the TMA works for me. Perhaps pilot buddies can help.....I was told by one pilot that prolonged flight at "min clean" can use up a lot of gas....and "min clean" imposed a long way out may require "the brakes" to make the level.....losing energy and efficiency and wasting more gas.
Modern ATC looks like a super-dooper video game......never has there been a greater need for Fam flights and operational controller/pilot liaison.