Confirmed with Link: Sabres sign D Connor Clifton to a 3 year deal worth $10 million ($3.33M AAV)

[VaporTrail]

Alright, like it...Got tougher and improved the D.

 

[5 Minute Major]

I’ll wait to evaluate. I didn’t hear this guys named mentioned very much, and maybe for a reason. That doesn’t mean he’s not capable of playing on the 2nd pairing but I’m not going to praise it as some great signing.

 

[Ehran]

Not really a top 4 defender. Wonder if he will be asked to do things out of his skill set.

I believe he was, until Boston got Orlov and pushed all the other defensemen down.

 

[Chainshot]

Yeah. Ive noticed he's a physical bastard, which I appreciate, but haven't watched thr Bruins enough to know the finer details of his game. Is he strong defensively? Solid in transistion?

My intitial reaction was we got a slightly better version of Boosh with some more upside.

Regardless, I know you were hoping for a move like this. All we need is someone to fit in with Power. Once Power progresses to the his next level of play he probably won't need a top tier #4. Clifton could be a good fit for him when that time comes. Hopefully, sooner rather than later!

He's better than Boosh. He was my dream target for a long time, I think he can step up to a top-4 role more than he was with the Bruins. And that's not a shot at Boosh, I liked him as an economy signing too and he did well at it.

 

[Matt Ress]

Yeah. Ive noticed he's a physical bastard, which I appreciate, but haven't watched thr Bruins enough to know the finer details of his game. Is he strong defensively? Solid in transistion?

My intitial reaction was we got a slightly better version of Boosh with some more upside.

Regardless, I know you were hoping for a move like this. All we need is someone to fit in with Power. Once Power progresses to the his next level of play he probably won't need a top tier #4. Clifton could be a good fit for him when that time comes. Hopefully, sooner rather than later!

A settled guy is what Power needs. If he jumps into a play and there's a 50/50 it goes the other way, he's not able to make the best decisions. Maybe we'll see OP drifting into the slot more often knowing he's not letting down his teammates but supporting them.

 

[Dubi Doo]

He's better than Boosh. He was my dream target for a long time, I think he can step up to a top-4 role more than he was with the Bruins. And that's not a shot at Boosh, I liked him as an economy signing too and he did well at it.

Thanks for the info as always, Chain. I trust your opinion!

 

[TheMistyStranger]

I know Clifton wasn't on my radar because I didn't expect we had a shot at him. He's an excellent signing, at a really reasonable number considering silly season, and can flourish with a young team in need of guys who have some team accomplishments elsewhere

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Seravalli "says" Carolina keeping all current 6 D.

 

[Chainshot]

Thanks for the info as always, Chain. I trust your opinion!

This guy was my top UFA target so I'm having a hard time processing that they got him, honestly.

 

[Dingo44]

Clifton isn't going to need to carry our defense and put in a ton of points. With Dahlin and Power plus Samuelsson he's going to be a great guy as #4. Won't play at all on the PP and will play a ton on the PK. Also will play a lot when we're trying to hold a lead at the end. If he's paired with Power it's a good combo - Clifton can adjust his game so Power can thrive. Donny knows what he is getting with this kid.

 

[Ace]

Not really a top 4 defender. Wonder if he will be asked to do things out of his skill set.

Styles make pair. No team would look at Samuelsson and say there’s my top pair D. But his defensive ability lets Dahlin roam free. Power needs someone who doesn’t get lost in his own end, can retrieve the puck and get it to him. Physical play and Pk are a bonus.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Clifton isn't going to need to carry our defense and put in a ton of points. With Dahlin and Power plus Samuelsson he's going to be a great guy as #4. Won't play at all on the PP and will play a ton on the PK. Also will play a lot when we're trying to hold a lead at the end. If he's paired with Power it's a good combo - Clifton can adjust his game so Power can thrive. Donny knows what he is getting with this kid.

Plus 3.3m goes a hell of a lot further in WNY than in Boston

 

[Dirty Dog]

Awesome to 4 signing, made so much sense. Also added a 3rd pairing signing. In the first two hours of free agency.

Where’s those two guys that have posted 8,000 times that wasn’t going to happen?

 

[jc17]

Fences will need mending haha

 

[Chainshot]

Fences will need mending haha

It's nice to have another guy in the lineup who wants to scrap.

 

[HaNotsri]

I like this one a lot. Worst case we improve the third pair, best case we have a partner for Power.

I don't really get the Johnson deal now unless we trade Bush or Jokiharju?

 

[Bobby Bottle Service]

Clifton tortured us physically last season. Glad he's on our side.

Great signing!

 

[slip]

Can’t wait to play the Bruins next year. Pass the torch bitches!

 

[elchud]

I like this one a lot. Worst case we improve the third pair, best case we have a partner for Power.

I don't really get the Johnson deal now unless we trade Bush or Jokiharju?

There's no hurry to trade one of them...there will be injuries (Quinner exhibit A) and before the season starts a nice trade will happen

 

[HaNotsri]

Awesome to 4 signing, made so much sense. Also added a 3rd pairing signing. In the first two hours of free agency.

Where’s those two guys that have posted 8,000 times that wasn’t going to happen?

I thought we'd just present extensions today. Curious what these moves will mean for the rest of our d.

9 million spent so far.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Plus 3.3m goes a hell of a lot further in WNY than in Boston

true, even many of the outlining suburbs where it was somewhat affordable at one time are not anymore

 

[Royal Thunder]

Samuelsson-Dahlin
Power-Clifton
Boosh-Johnson
Joker
Stillman
Bryson

The depth is looking better for sure

 

[jc17]

 

[Ace]

Nice to be chosen with that many options. Whether it was familiarity with Granato, the opportunity for top 4 minutes with Power or money/term…still feels nice and like a change

 

[Sabre Dance]

Terrible.