Connor Clifton - Page 2 - NHL News & Rumors

Penguins acquire defenseman Connor Clifton, 2nd-round pick from Sabres The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired defenseman Connor Clifton and a second-round selection (No. 39 overall) in the ongoing NHL Draft from the B...

JUNE 28, 2025 • TRIBLIVE.COM

Slings shorthanded helper Clifton recorded a shorthanded assist, two hits and two blocked shots in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Flyers.

Impact Clifton had two points over the final three games of the season. The 29-year-old defenseman was able to accumulate 16 points, including three shorthanded assists, over 73 appearances this season. He added 63 shots on net, 208 hits, 116 blocked shots, 45 PIM and a minus-6 rating. Clifton is under contract for 2025-26 and can be expected to fill a bottom-four role with the Sabres.

APRIL 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Finds twine Sunday Clifton scored a goal on two shots and added three hits in Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Lightning.

Impact Clifton ended a five-game point drought with his first goal of the season. The defenseman had a run of five assists over six games from March 23 to April 1, but that's a fairly unprecedented stretch of success for him. Overall, he's at 15 points, 62 shots on net, 204 hits, 110 blocked shots, 45 PIM and a minus-4 rating over 71 appearances in 2024-25 while filling a bottom-four role.

APRIL 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Finds twine Sunday Clifton scored a goal on two shots and added three hits in Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Lightning.

Impact Clifton ended a five-game point drought with the tally, which was his first goal this season. The defenseman had a fun of five assists over six games from March 23 to April 1, but that's a fairly unprecedented stretch of success for him. Overall, he's at 15 points, 62 shots on net, 204 hits, 110 blocked shots, 45 PIM and a minus-4 rating over 71 appearances in 2024-25 while filling a bottom-four role.

APRIL 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Adds two assists in win Clifton logged two assists, two shots on goal, four hits and six blocked shots in Sunday's 8-5 win over the Capitals.

Impact Clifton has four helpers over his last five outings. The defenseman set up second-period tallies by Alex Tuch and Sam Lafferty in Sunday's contest. Clifton is up to 13 points (all assists), 55 shots on net, 184 hits, 98 blocked shots, 39 PIM and a minus-2 rating through 64 appearances this season, primarily in a bottom-four role.

MARCH 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

EIGHT GOALS! | Buffalo Sabres Defeat Washington Capitals in 8-5 win | Full Game Highlights

MARCH 31, 2025 • YOUTUBE

EIGHT GOALS! | Buffalo Sabres Defeat Washington Capitals in 8-5 win | Full Game Highlights

MARCH 30, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Produces helper Sunday Clifton logged a shorthanded assist, two shots on goal, two hits and two PIM in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Jets.

Impact Clifton helped out on an Alex Tuch tally in the third period, which ended up being the game-winner. The 29-year-old Clifton has just two assists over 12 outings in March as he continues to log bottom-four minutes. For the season, he's produced 10 assists, 49 shots on net, 170 hits, 88 blocked shots, 37 PIM and a minus-6 rating over 60 contests.

MARCH 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Pockets assist in loss Clifton notched an assist, two shots on goal and four hits in Tuesday's 6-2 loss to the Sharks.

Impact Clifton has played in just five of eight games since returning from an illness in early February. He's part of a rotation of defensemen to fill a third-pairing role, and he appears to have the favor of head coach Lindy Ruff currently. With a Henri Jokiharju trade being a possibility before Friday's deadline, Clifton's playing time could become steady, though it won't make him a factor in fantasy. The 29-year-old blueliner has nine assists, 40 shots on net, 150 hits, 78 blocked shots and 31 PIM over 51 outings in a mediocre campaign so far.

MARCH 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Moves past illness Clifton (illness) will return to the lineup Tuesday against the Blue Jackets, Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald reports.

Impact Clifton will replace Mattias Samuelsson (lower body) in the lineup Tuesday and slot in on the second pairing next to Owen Power. Clifton has contributed eight helpers but has not found the back of the net across 46 appearances in 2024-25.

FEBRUARY 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Sunday Clifton (illness) won't be in the lineup for Sunday's game against New Jersey, according to Heather Engel of NHL.com.

Impact Clifton will miss his third straight game due to an illness after being a healthy scratch versus Edmonton on Jan. 25. However, he could be an option for Tuesday's matchup versus Columbus after participating in Saturday's practice. The 29-year-old defender has produced eight assists, 36 shots on goal, 69 blocked shots and 134 hits through 46 appearances this season. Once healthy, Clifton could replace Jacob Bryson in the lineup.

FEBRUARY 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing Friday Clifton (illness) will not play versus Nashville on Friday, according to Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550.

Impact Clifton has sat out Tuesday against the Bruins with the illness and has lost a lot of weight, precluding him from playing against the Predators. Clifton has eight assists, 134 hits and 69 blocked shots in 46 contests this season.

JANUARY 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Adds helper in win Clifton notched an assist, four hits and two PIM in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Hurricanes.

Impact Clifton ended a 10-game point drought when he set up the first goal of Ryan McLeod's hat trick just 43 seconds into the contest. The Sabres' defense is fully healthy for the first time recently, so Clifton will have to keep his performance up to avoid losing playing time to Dennis Gilbert or Jacob Bryson. Clifton has eight assists, 33 shots on net, 29 PIM, 123 hits, 65 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating through 42 appearances this season and likely won't score enough to help in fantasy.

JANUARY 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

"We Are Going to Find a Way to Turn This Around" | Connor Clifton | Buffalo Sabres Postgame

DECEMBER 22, 2024 • YOUTUBE

Sends assist in loss Clifton posted an assist, two hits and four blocked shots in Friday's 6-3 loss to the Maple Leafs.

Impact Clifton snapped his personal five-game slump when he helped out on a John-Jason Peterka goal in the second period. Clifton was scratched once recently (Dec. 15 versus Toronto), but he has generally held onto a third-pairing role. He has seven helpers, 25 shots on net, 93 hits, 52 blocked shots and 23 PIM over 31 outings. More scratches could be on the way as head coach Lindy Ruff tries to figure out the right combinations on the blue line to snap the Sabres' losing streak.

DECEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Stays warm with helper Clifton logged an assist and nine hits in Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Jets.

Impact Clifton played a physical role and still had time to help out on a Dylan Cozens tally in the first period. This was Clifton's third helper over the last four games. The 29-year-old blueliner is at six assists, 19 shots on net, 19 PIM, 80 hits and 39 blocked shots through 25 outings overall, playing primarily on the Sabres' third pairing.

DECEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Another Colorado comeback: Avalanche rally from 4-goal deficit this time in 5-4 win over Sabres

The Colorado Avalanche continue to struggle with slow starts this season

DECEMBER 4, 2024 • Associated Press

"We Haven't Been A Good Back To Back Team" | Connor Clifton After Sabres Loss To New York Islanders

DECEMBER 2, 2024 • YOUTUBE

Chips in with assist Clifton logged an assist, four hits and two blocked shots in Friday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Canucks.

Impact Clifton snapped an eight-game point drought with the helper. He's seen steady minutes on the third pairing this season, though his spot could be challenged once Mattias Samuelsson (lower body) is activated from injured reserve. Clifton has four helpers, 19 shots on net, 19 PIM, 65 hits and 37 blocked shots over 22 contests, so his appeal in fantasy is limited to formats with an emphasis on non-scoring production.

NOVEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Pockets helper in win Clifton notched an assist, three hits and two blocked shots in Thursday's 6-1 win over the Rangers.

Impact Clifton appears to be a regular on the Sabres' blue line -- he's been scratched in just one of the team's first 14 games. Henri Jokiharju and Mattias Samuelsson have fallen out of favor with leaky defense, and considering the Sabres have allowed just two goals over two games with those two out of the lineup, Clifton shouldn't be facing an immediate challenge for playing time. Clifton has three assists, 11 shots on net, 35 hits, 22 blocked shots and a plus-1 rating over 13 contests in a third-pairing role.

NOVEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Connor Clifton Joins Sabres Live | Buffalo Sabres

NOVEMBER 1, 2024 • YOUTUBE

Supplies assist Saturday Clifton notched an assist and four hits in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Blackhawks.

Impact Clifton has picked up two assists over seven contests this season. He's been a fixture on the Sabres' third pairing, doing enough to keep Jacob Bryson and Dennis Gilbert in the press box as healthy scratches. Clifton has added eight shots on net, 18 hits and five blocked shots. His highest point total in a season is 23 from the 2022-23 campaign, and he's also topped 200 hits in each of the last two years, so he could be useful in deep fantasy formats that reward the rough stuff.

OCTOBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

"We Had No Answer" | Connor Clifton After Buffalo Sabres Loss To Ottawa Senators

MARCH 28, 2024 • YOUTUBE

Empty-netter seals win Clifton scored an empty-net goal to seal Sunday's 4-1 win over the Flames.

Impact The empty-netter is Clifton's third goal and 16th point of the campaign. The defender's minutes have gone up and down, but his offensive production hasn't been significant. In the 14 games before Sunday, he had just a goal and two assists. Moreover, he was held without a single shot six times.

MARCH 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

"They've Settled Into A Pair" | Buffalo Sabres Coach Don Granato On Connor Clifton, Jacob Bryson

MARCH 19, 2024 • YOUTUBE

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Another Colorado comeback: Avalanche rally from 4-goal deficit this time in 5-4 win over Sabres