Total Season Stats: 4-14-18 in 79 Games
Age: 29
Contract Status: Signed through 2025-2026 at $3.33 Million AAV
Connor Clifton’s 2023-2024 season was a mixed bag. The biggest free agent signing of last offseason was brought in to sure up the Sabres backend and add some sandpaper to the lineup. He certainly did the later as he led the team in hits with 202 which included some beauties.
However, he struggled to find his groove with his new team. Largely playing on the third pair with Eric Johnson, Clifton had two assists and was a -8 through his first 20 games. As the season went on, Granato finally split up Johnson and Clifton. After some time with Owen Power, Clifton was primarily paired with Jacob Bryson during the second half of the season. The pair complemented each other and found some success. Clifton would finish the season second on the team in plus/minus at +12. A far cry from the -8 hole he was in after the first quarter of the season.
He was a constant on the Sabres penalty kill which showed significant improvement from its dismal performance in 2022-2023. The penalty kill improved from 28th in the league (73%) to 13th (79.8%). Clifton’s defensive awareness and 117 blocked shots, good for 2nd on the team, were certainly contributors to the improvement.
Clifton is at his best in a third line role with a puck moving defensive partner. Clifton’s physicality came as advertised to a Sabres defensive core the surely lacked it. His skillset could be a good compliment to Ryan Johnson if the young defenseman secures a full-time role in Buffalo next season. With two years left on his contract, Clifton will have a chance to build off the second half of his season and show why he earned the three year contract last offseason.
Season Grade: C
