Connor Clifton - NHL News & Rumors

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 • 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 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

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

DECEMBER 2 • 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 • 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 • ROTOWIRE

Connor Clifton Joins Sabres Live | Buffalo Sabres

NOVEMBER 1 • 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 • ROTOWIRE

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

MARCH 28 • 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 • ROTOWIRE

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

MARCH 19 • YOUTUBE

Pots game-winner Friday Clifton scored the game-winning goal in Friday's 2-1 victory over the Blue Jackets.

Impact It was the 28-year-old defender's first goal in nearly a calendar year and first in a Sabres jersey, and it was also his first career GWG. Clifton snapped a 16-game point drought with the tally, but offense has never been a big part of his game. He's been a solid stay-at-home addition to Buffalo's blue line this season, racking up 141 hits, 79 blocked shots and 60 PIM in 54 contests with a plus-6 rating while also chipping in 12 points.

FEBRUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Connor Clifton breaks tie with his 1st goal in nearly a year, Sabres beat Blue Jackets 2-1 Connor Clifton broke a third-period tie with his first goal in nearly a year, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 25 stops and the Buffalo Sabres beat...

FEBRUARY 24 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

Big night against Toronto Clifton picked up two assists while adding four hits, two shots on net, a blocked shot and a plus-5 rating in Thursday's 9-3 rout of the Maple Leafs.

Impact The former Bruin hadn't been in the black in plus-minus all season until Thursday, when he erased a minus-4 mark in one fell swoop. Clifton has been a multi-category monster of late, producing seven assists, 15 hits, 11 blocked shots, six shots on goal, five PIM and a plus-8 rating over the last eight games, but the stay-at-home blueliner doesn't see power-play time and is tough to roster in fantasy formats that focus only on points.

DECEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Delivers assist Friday Clifton notched an assist, three hits and two blocked shots in Friday's 5-2 win over the Golden Knights.

Impact Clifton helped out on Casey Mittelstadt's game-tying goal in the third period. With five helpers over his last five games, Clifton has chipped in some unexpected offense from the third pairing. The 28-year-old has just seven assists all season while adding 63 hits, 44 PIM, 32 blocked shots, 21 shots on net and a minus-4 rating over 28 contests. He'll likely continue to play regularly, but he's not a player that should be relied on for point production.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chips in with two assists Clifton posted two assists in Monday's 5-2 home win against the Coyotes.

Impact Clifton ended up with a plus-2 rating, one shot on goal and three hits in 17:11 of ice time across 21 shifts. The 28-year-old rearguard is on quite the roll, posting four assists with a plus-4 rating during his current three-game point streak. The defenseman has posted points in three straight games for the first time since Oct. 12-17, 2022 as a member of the Bruins. He'll look to make it four straight games with a point on Wednesday night against the Avalanche.

DECEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

"The Whole Experience Has Been Awesome" | Connor Clifton On Coming to Buffalo

NOVEMBER 14, 2023 • YOUTUBE

Finishes serving suspension Clifton is eligible to return to the lineup Friday against Philadelphia after serving his two-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of New Jersey's Nico Hischier on Oct....

Impact Clifton was back on the ice for Thursday's practice alongside Erik Johnson, according to Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550. The 28-year-old Clifton has one assist, 12 shots on goal. eight blocked shots and 23 hits in eight games this season. His expected return to the lineup Friday is projected to make Jacob Bryson a healthy scratch.

NOVEMBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sabres' Connor Clifton suspended by NHL for two games for head shot to Devils' Nico Hischier

The NHL has suspended Buffalo Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton for two games without pay for what it determined was an illegal check to the head of New Jersey Devils forward Nico H...

OCTOBER 28, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sabres' Clifton suspended 2 games for illegal check Clifton was ejected for the hit. Hischier returned for the second period and sat out the third period.

OCTOBER 28, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Clifton suspended 2 games for actions in Sabres game | NHL.com Defenseman banned for illegal check to head of Devils forward Hischier

OCTOBER 28, 2023 • NHL.COM

Handed two-game suspension Clifton has been suspended for two games following a check to the head of Nico Hischier in Friday's loss to the Devils.

Impact Clifton was given a major penalty for the hit, and he'll now miss an additional two games. The 28-year-old has averaged 15:29 through eight games in his first year with the Sabres, adding an assist and 23 hits. Jacob Bryson will likely take over on Buffalo's third pairing while Clifton serves his suspension.

OCTOBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sabres D Connor Clifton to have hearing with NHL Buffalo Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Saturday following his illegal chec...

OCTOBER 28, 2023 • SUNHERALD.COM

Set for hearing Clifton will have a hearing Saturday after his check to the head on Nico Hischier in Friday's loss to the Devils.

Impact Clifton was given a match penalty and logged just 4:28 of ice time before the incident. Assuming he's slapped with a suspension, Jacob Bryson will likely slide into the lineup in Clifton's stead. Clifton has one point with a minus-6 rating through eight games.

OCTOBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leads team in hits Clifton has a team-leading 16 hits through five games this season.

Impact Clifton, who joined the Sabres in July on a three-year, $10 million contract, still doesn't have a point. He also has eight shots on goal, six blocked shots and a minus-6 rating this campaign. Clifton produced five goals, 23 points, 120 blocked shots and 208 hits in 78 games for Boston last season.

OCTOBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sabres camp observations: Can Connor Clifton play with Rasmus Dahlin? Here’s what we learned on Thursday at the first day of Buffalo Sabres training camp.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

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

Sabres' Connor Clifton suspended by NHL for two games for head shot to Devils' Nico Hischier