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

[Sabre Dance]

Are you sure you don't mean level of player? Cuz I would say this is the type of player most wanted.

A bad version of a player we wanted. We’re going with young goalies we needed a better version. This is a way too conservative move by a GM loaded with assets.

 

[Paxon]

A bad version of a player we wanted. We’re going with young goalies we needed a better version. This is a way too conservative move by a GM loaded with assets.

Fair take, except "bad" is an exaggeration. I wasn't sure if that's what you meant or you were talking about the style of player. In terms of a UFA pickup I am happy with him. One of the better fits available, actually. He's not the level of some of the guys allegedly on the trade market but we will see if they even get traded. The door is not closed for us there, either.

 

[Sabre Dance]

Fair take, except "bad" is an exaggeration. I wasn't sure if that's what you meant or you were talking about the style of player. In terms of a UFA pickup I am happy with him. One of the better fits available, actually. He's not the level of some of the guys allegedly on the trade market but we will see if they even get traded. The door is not closed for us there, either.

I don’t dislike the signing. I dislike everyone putting him in our top 4 immediately. I want to see him as a 3rd pair RD.

 

[Blowfish]

Love Clifton! You're going to love watching this kid play!

 

[Fjordsen]

I hope it works in pair with Power otherwise we have big problems.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

Ok. I feel better knowing Johnson isnt in the top-4, and Im HAPPY Adams realized he had to revamp 4-6. Joki is likely a goner now.

I dont know enough about Clifton. Is he more of a #5 or did he play second pairing minutes in Boston? All I know is he plays pretty physical.

Why is he a goner? People think Bryson is in the mix. LOL

 

[TheStorm]

You guys seem to be a lot higher on Clifton than Reddit is ,that's for sure.

 

[Gras]

You guys seem to be a lot higher on Clifton than Reddit is ,that's for sure.

Reddit or Twitter, whats the bigget cesspool.

 

[Zman5778]

Reddit or Twitter, whats the bigget cesspool.

Yes.

 

[HaNotsri]

A bad version of a player we wanted. We’re going with young goalies we needed a better version. This is a way too conservative move by a GM loaded with assets.

I think this is a good move. You can make a trade for the deluxe top 4 guy when the opportunity comes but there's no stress now. Clifton is ideal on the third pairing and pk. Maybe Jokiharju develops the way management hopes to.

Do I think Adams will ever make that trade? No idea but I like to think we'll be more agggressive when we have to move out prospects because of the logjam.

 

[Fjordsen]

I think this is a good move. You can make a trade for the deluxe top 4 guy when the opportunity comes but there's no stress now. Clifton is ideal on the third pairing and pk. Maybe Jokiharju develops the way management hopes to.

Do I think Adams will ever make that trade? No idea but I like to think we'll be more agggressive when we have to move out prospects because of the logjam.

Jokiharju may be gone and we hope Clifton is the answer to the top 4, plus we have bad goalies and an inexperienced Levi. Not very happy with it.

 

[Dingo44]

Reddit or Twitter, whats the bigget cesspool.

Sabres Facebook comment section.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

This signing makes no sense because the Pegulas are cheap and Adams is punting on another season.

 

[Gras]

Sabres Facebook comment section.

Dont think the pedos are hanging out there though.

 

[Paxon]

This signing makes no sense because the Pegulas are cheap and Adams is punting on another season.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

 

[Paxon]

View attachment 724961

 

[start winnin]

Not sure why everyone is up in arms this is an upgrade and allows us to continue to assess if more changes are needed, Clifton also brings an element that we need. I love this signing by Adams. If he is inadequate then we can look into a Pesce like acquisition but for now we can see Clifton has the ability to play next to Power.

 

[Fjordsen]

Not sure why everyone is up in arms this is an upgrade and allows us to continue to assess if more changes are needed, Clifton also brings an element that we need. I love this signing by Adams. If he is inadequate then we can look into a Pesce like acquisition but for now we can see Clifton has the ability to play next to Power.

I like him, the problem is he's a wild card. I don't know what he'll look like when he plays 20 minutes with Power. Also, if it doesn't work, then we have no one to play in the top 4. Another problem I have is with our goalies. Adams takes a big risk.

 

[Chainshot]

Not sure why everyone is up in arms this is an upgrade and allows us to continue to assess if more changes are needed, Clifton also brings an element that we need. I love this signing by Adams. If he is inadequate then we can look into a Pesce like acquisition but for now we can see Clifton has the ability to play next to Power.

Almost no one is up in arms over this. Most are pretty good with it.

 

[Dubi Doo]

You guys seem to be a lot higher on Clifton than Reddit is ,that's for sure.

Reddit doesn't seem to understand the luxury of having Power on the second pairing. Also, another positive to this signing is the term will end when our young D prospects will be ready to break into the league, and maybe another Samuelsson emerges.

If Clifton works out like a charm, he'll probably get overpaid in FA and we save a good amount of cap playing a young player on an ELC. If none of our young players seem ready for that role, Adams just needs to find another Clifton like defender to sign or trade for that Power will be able to prop up and make look better than they actually are.

Once Power hits his stride, he's going to be a savage two-way beast, and whoever his partner is will benefit heavily from playing with him. All they'll have to do is play a solid, simple game and bring some physicality. Hopefully, Clifton will be that guy for us while Power works through his growing pains until he becomes that savage beast we all know he'll be one day.

 

[sabres4ever]

Feels like they should be able to get something for Joker’s contract. he’s cheap and young and hes not going to play

"Future considerations"

 

[Havok89]

"Future considerations"

Sold

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Not sure why everyone is up in arms this is an upgrade and allows us to continue to assess if more changes are needed, Clifton also brings an element that we need. I love this signing by Adams. If he is inadequate then we can look into a Pesce like acquisition but for now we can see Clifton has the ability to play next to Power.

I’m not up in arms. I’m just being sarcastic

 

[Irie]

I hope it works in pair with Power otherwise we have big problems.

I am scrapping every prenotion that I had about next season's D pairings now.

Power was not stellar in his own end, and I don't think Johnson or Clifton are guys that have the defensive pedigree to play 20+ minutes and pick up the slack to make a solid second pairing.

That said, I absolutely love the D depth the team now has. If Granato can roll 3 lines all closer to 20 minutes like he did in a few games last season, everyone seemed to play much better. Adding Johnson and Clifton gives the team a ton of pairing options