Confirmed with Link: Leafs acquire Clifford from the Blues in exchange for future considerations

[The Iceman]

agreed. Engvall found his mojo in preseason and he seems confident and believes he can score. whereas before we used to mock him here

YUP, he sure did. Wasn't it 3 goals in 2 games.
Followed by a very nice goal opening night.

AND SQUAT SINCE.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Kyle Clifford returns to the Leafs organization that never wanted him to leave | The Star

It’s not like Kyle Clifford needed to make a good first impression on his Toronto Marlies teammates. But he did.

The reacquired veteran winger stayed on the ice working on his game for a good half-hour after coach Greg Moore ended the AHL team’s practice on Friday.

“He skates really well and works really hard,” Moore said of Clifford. “His competitiveness is off the charts, and it’s something that we value within our organization, and definitely with how we play. So he’s going to bring a lot of pace. He’s going to get the game going in the right direction.

“He brings a lot of leadership. We are excited to have him.”

In truth, Clifford figures he’s been on the ice just twice in the last three weeks, sidelined by COVID-19.

“I was just looking forward to getting out there,” said Clifford. “One of the best ways to build team bonding is just being out there and shoot the s--- with the guys. So it was fun.”

The Leafs initially acquired Clifford in a 2020 trade with the Los Angeles Kings that also brought goalie Jack Campbell to Toronto. Clifford had a goal, two assists and 23 penalty minutes in 16 games with the Leafs before the pandemic shut down the regular season. He was held without a point in the five-game qualifying round against Columbus.

“I’m just excited,” said Clifford. “I didn’t want to leave; I know they didn’t want me to leave. So I’m thrilled to be back. I know some of these (Marlies) guys. And I was able to see some of the Leafs guys (Thursday) night, too. So it’s just fun to see everybody.”

He left as a free agent in 2020 — signing a two-year, $2-million (U.S.) deal with the Blues — then found himself in no-man’s land in St. Louis this season. He got into just two games, in part because of the bout with COVID, and cleared waivers on Tuesday. The Leafs reacquired him for future considerations as a depth forward. He can remain with the Marlies, getting his game back on track, until the Leafs need him.

“The idea is to get my feet wet and get my legs under me,” said Clifford.

 

[Ciao]

No harm in having Kyle Clifford on the Marlies.

At worst, he collects NHL pay while playing near home and providing leadership to the AHL team.

At best, he's available if needed in the event of unforseen circumstances.

I really don't see him making much of a contribution at the NHL level, if any at all, but that's not the point of the deal.

 

[forecheck]

Veteran with grit ..Hmmm something you might want come playoff time... Nothing wrong with bringing in competitive guys to your team .

 

[Pinto]

“I’m just excited,” said Clifford. “I didn’t want to leave; I know they didn’t want me to leave. So I’m thrilled to be back.

Didn’t he leave for less money then what we were rumoured to offer?

 

[kb]

Didn’t he leave for less money then what we were rumoured to offer?

More term though, I believe

 

[LeafChief]

Clifford is in for the Marlies today.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Didn’t he leave for less money then what we were rumoured to offer?

After brief time with Leafs, Clifford headed for the open market: Agent | Toronto Sun

September 16, 2020

The rugged winger, acquired from the Los Angeles Kings with goaltender Jack Campbell in February, will be hitting the market once the National Hockey League’s free-agency doors open on Oct. 9.

“He’s headed for free agency,” Todd Reynolds, Clifford’s agent, told The Toronto Sun on Wednesday. “That’s what is going to happen and the Leafs are aware of that.”

Reynolds acknowledged that the Leafs’ salary cap situation hampered the sides from getting into serious talks. Another factor potentially came into play: Had the Leafs re-signed Clifford, a second-round pick would have been on its way to Los Angeles. If Clifford does not re-sign in Toronto, the Kings will get a third-round pick from the Leafs.

Clifford had a salary-cap hit of $1.6-million US in each of the past five seasons. As much as Clifford enjoyed his time with the Leafs, there is not much of an appetite for taking a financial haircut to stay in Toronto.

 

[Pinto]

More term though, I believe

I can’t remember who reported it, CJ, Mirtle or whoever but for some reason 3 years at 1.5 per is stuck in my head.

 

[hockeywiz542]

More term though, I believe

I can’t remember who reported it, CJ, Mirtle or whoever but for some reason 3 years at 1.5 per is stuck in my head.

Mirtle: What Leafs GM Kyle Dubas said — and what he meant — before the draft - The Athletic

Oct 5, 2020

Well, as one example, they went to great lengths to bring back fourth line banger Kyle Clifford, despite the fact that re-signing him would mean giving up a second-round pick – instead of a third-round pick – as part of the conditions of the trade they made with LA back in February.

According to multiple sources, the Leafs offered Clifford a three-year contract for more than $1 million a season. (His AAV was $1.6 million on his last deal with the Kings.)

That’s not huge money, but it would be a pretty significant outlay for a player who averaged only 9:33 a game – and 8:13 in the playoffs – in Toronto. Especially given just how tight the Leafs are budget-wise.

The fact they were willing to go well above the league minimum for a depth forward is more about style of play than anything. Leafs management liked the physical edge Clifford brought, in addition to his experience (60 career playoff games).

...................

Clifford turned down the Leafs three-year offer a few weeks ago, but the idea hasn’t been completely abandoned. The two sides could circle back after free agency opens on Friday afternoon, if the big winger doesn’t receive a larger offer from elsewhere.

 

[kb]

Mirtle: What Leafs GM Kyle Dubas said — and what he meant — before the draft - The Athletic

Oct 5, 2020

Well, as one example, they went to great lengths to bring back fourth line banger Kyle Clifford, despite the fact that re-signing him would mean giving up a second-round pick – instead of a third-round pick – as part of the conditions of the trade they made with LA back in February.

According to multiple sources, the Leafs offered Clifford a three-year contract for more than $1 million a season. (His AAV was $1.6 million on his last deal with the Kings.)

That’s not huge money, but it would be a pretty significant outlay for a player who averaged only 9:33 a game – and 8:13 in the playoffs – in Toronto. Especially given just how tight the Leafs are budget-wise.

The fact they were willing to go well above the league minimum for a depth forward is more about style of play than anything. Leafs management liked the physical edge Clifford brought, in addition to his experience (60 career playoff games).

...................

Clifford turned down the Leafs three-year offer a few weeks ago, but the idea hasn’t been completely abandoned. The two sides could circle back after free agency opens on Friday afternoon, if the big winger doesn’t receive a larger offer from elsewhere.

I can’t remember who reported it, CJ, Mirtle or whoever but for some reason 3 years at 1.5 per is stuck in my head.

Huh. He dun misjudged the UFA market. lol

 

[123offtheglass]

Great. Veteran depth, grit, good character; I liked Clifford when he was here.

 

[Leafsfan74]

Kyle will be joining the Leafs for Cali. I'm personally glad he is back, was bummed when he left as I could tell that what he brought was what the Leafs needed more of. Dubas tried to keep him last offseason.

Dubas had to have witnessed the same post-season we all witnessed and he knows Clifford well. You need a few checkers and men with size in the battle to ensure the other team stays "honest" Clifford plays the game hard, knows his role and isn't a liability in doing his job.


‘Over the moon’ Kyle Clifford joins Maple Leafs in California

‘Over the moon’ Kyle Clifford joins Maple Leafs in California

 

[ottomaddox]

Who does he replace tmo?

 

[kb]

Who does he replace tmo?

Anderson.

 

[mikeyz]

Anderson.

Hopefully it’s Engvall in the lineup.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

4 lines now with 4 guys who can bang .. luv it

 

[JT AM da real deal]

4 lines now with 4 guys who can bang .. luv it

We are now da toughest team in league officially

 

[LeafSteel]

We are now da toughest team in league officially

@Coachcorner approves of this message….

 

[fancy lad]

We are now da toughest team in league officially

LOL can we be the bay street bullies again?

 

[Marshy]

Do we have proper levels of pugnacity, testosterone and belligerence now? I think I missed truculence.

 

[Antropovsky]

Do we have proper levels of pugnacity, testosterone and belligerence now? I think I missed truculence.

Dubas sure has suddenly changed his opinion on toughness and physicality. Wonder is this is a demand by Shanahan.

 

[4thline]

Dubas sure has suddenly changed his opinion on toughness and physicality. Wonder is this is a demand by Shanahan.

Nah, just got a coach that's more on board with it and has had some time to add more physical players without paying through the nose in reactionary moves.

 

[zeke]

Dubas sure has suddenly changed his opinion on toughness and physicality. Wonder is this is a demand by Shanahan.

Year 1: Tavares, Muzzin, Gauthier, Ozhiganov
Year 2: Mikheyev, Clifford, Shore, Marchment, Gravel
Year 3: Foligno, Simmonds, Bogosian, Sabourin, Anderson
Year 4: Ritchie, Bunting, Kampf, Clifford, Gabriel

 

[Coachcorner]

@Coachcorner approves of this message….

I agree this message sire.