Former Bruins Connor Clifton

[ON3M4N]

Clifton hands down has been the biggest surprise this season for Boston. He's the kind of guy that can build a good fan following in Boston because of his style of play and size. He kind of reminds me of a Andrew Ference type, but with a bit of a meaner streak.

When the defense is 100% healthy, I don't see him being up here. I would imagine though that if the need for a RHD comes, he's the first call they make.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Clifton hands down has been the biggest surprise this season for Boston. He's the kind of guy that can build a good fan following in Boston because of his style of play and size. He kind of reminds me of a Andrew Ference type, but with a bit of a meaner streak.

When the defense is 100% healthy, I don't see him being up here. I would imagine though that if the need for a RHD comes, he's the first call they make.

I think he’s a good candidate for 7th D over someone like Kampfer. He’s 23, played 4 years NCAA and one in PRO, so he’s not some 19/20 year old that you prefer down in the AHL or junior getting loads of ice. I believe NHL coaching would be more of a benefit to him at this point in his development.

 

[ON3M4N]

I think he’s a good candidate for 7th D over someone like Kampfer. He’s 23, played 4 years NCAA and one in PRO, so he’s not some 19/20 year old that you prefer down in the AHL or junior getting loads of ice. I believe NHL coaching would be more of a benefit to him at this point in his development.

Ya, I'd take him over Kampfer. I just don't know that this season he's a guy you keep up if he's just going to sit. Next year you let him compete for that #3RHD/#7 spot

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

Ya, I'd take him over Kampfer. I just don't know that this season he's a guy you keep up if he's just going to sit. Next year you let him compete for that #3RHD/#7 spot

I'm with you on this. We have Kampfer for this year, so may as well just run with him as the emergency defenseman. Let him go down, continue to play, and if he's needed just call him back up (or any of the young D that will be going down if everyone gets healthy).

 

[Over the volcano]

Seems like Spezza gave him some confidence that he can hang in the league.

 

[False Start]

Kid has big balls. I'll give him that.

Takes a lot of risks, offensive zone and defensive zone. I hate him and Krug together. Defensive assignments are a mess from what I've seen. But can't deny the kid can skate and move the puck and is willing to battle.

 

[DarrenBanks56]

his passes out of the zone are beautiful.
on the tape with zip on them

 

[PB37]

Looks solid so far. Could be the fill in for Kevan Miller in a couple of years if the Bruins move on from him.

 

[GordonHowe]

Credit to the organization... the young defensemen who have been pressed into service of late (Lauzon, Clifton, Vaakanainen, Zboril, etc.) have all had varying degrees of success. Not sure there's a future in Boston for all them just due to numbers, but they all look as if they can play.

Been pretty impressed with Clifton.

Agreed, save Zboril. I don't believe he will be part of the Bruins organization for long.

 

[Montecristo]

That indirect pass off the boards to debrusk was pretty awesome

 

[PB37]

If the " bad news " on Miller means a lengthy recovery process, I think this kid has done enough in his short time to warrant playing full time over Kampfer.

 

[PB37]

 

[22Brad Park]

Clifton hands down has been the biggest surprise this season for Boston. He's the kind of guy that can build a good fan following in Boston because of his style of play and size. He kind of reminds me of a Andrew Ference type, but with a bit of a meaner streak.

When the defense is 100% healthy, I don't see him being up here. I would imagine though that if the need for a RHD comes, he's the first call they make.

Clifton to me moves the puck alot better and has more offensive upside then ,Miller ,and Carlo but does not kill penaltys like them or have the strength they have so is odd guy out .Shame really because Bruins are playing alot better since he entered back there.His passes are right on the tape.

 

[22Brad Park]

his passes out of the zone are beautiful.
on the tape with zip on them

Would of hit like on this but its not working

 

[bearcountry17]

I really like this kid. Played over 24 minutes against the leafs and was still making confident plays at both ends of the ice. He's raw but he got a little "it" factor to his game.

 

[rocketdan9]

Looks like the Clifman has surpassed all of his peers (youngsters)

Better than Lauzon who has been making some silly mistakes as of late

Cliffy made one mistake yesterday but overall has been rock solid. Crisp 1st passes out of the zone. Loved the one sequence when he carried out the puck from the Bruins end, into the offensive zone. Underrated wheels/power stride

 

[BruinDust]

Looks like the Clifman has surpassed all of his peers (youngsters)

Better than Lauzon who has been making some silly mistakes as of late

Cliffy made one mistake yesterday but overall has been rock solid. Crisp 1st passes out of the zone. Loved the one sequence when he carried out the puck from the Bruins end, into the offensive zone. Underrated wheels/power stride

But they aren't really his peers. He's almost a full 2 years older than Lauzon or Zboril. Clifton will be 24 in April. He should be more polished.

And it's a bit premature anyways to proclaim he's surpassed Lauzon or whatever just because Lauzon has made a few mistakes.

 

[Over the volcano]

Plays a lot like I remember Ference in Boston.

 

[Caper Bruins fan]

But they aren't really his peers. He's almost a full 2 years older than Lauzon or Zboril. Clifton will be 24 in April. He should be more polished.

And it's a bit premature anyways to proclaim he's surpassed Lauzon or whatever just because Lauzon has made a few mistakes.

He has played remarkably well for a guy who was brought in with little fanfare. I don’t study the Bruin prospects the way many do here but wasn’t Clifton looking like a guy who was destined for the AHL ?

 

[BruinDust]

He has played remarkably well for a guy who was brought in with little fanfare. I don’t study the Bruin prospects the way many do here but wasn’t Clifton looking like a guy who was destined for the AHL ?

Oh don't get me wrong, I've been very impressed with Clifton.

I just don't think it's fair to compare him to guys two full years younger.

 

[rocketdan9]

But they aren't really his peers. He's almost a full 2 years older than Lauzon or Zboril. Clifton will be 24 in April. He should be more polished.

And it's a bit premature anyways to proclaim he's surpassed Lauzon or whatever just because Lauzon has made a few mistakes.

Both are rookies regardless.... its not like clifton has played pro before

And yes Lauzon mistakes were bad.. he took the puck to nowhere on the Marchand pass. Resulting in a possible costly rush on a pk! On the defensive end some so so passes out of the zone

Just overall Clifton has been sharper and more reliable. Even better than Kampfer and Krug at the defensive end at times ..and those guys should be much more polished right?

 

[The don godfather]

What to do with this depth on D? It's ridiculous and have no room. How can you send down Clifton or lauzon? They playing with men. They are ready for full time positions now. Throwing them in the ahl makes no sense . Donny has to trade D for forward help no choice.

 

[don]

He has played remarkably well for a guy who was brought in with little fanfare. I don’t study the Bruin prospects the way many do here but wasn’t Clifton looking like a guy who was destined for the AHL ?[/QUOTE

Only to some.]

 

[BruinDust]

Both are rookies regardless.... its not like clifton has played pro before

And yes Lauzon mistakes were bad.. he took the puck to nowhere on the Marchand pass. Resulting in a possible costly rush on a pk! On the defensive end some so so passes out of the zone

Just overall Clifton has been sharper and more reliable. Even better than Kampfer and Krug at the defensive end at times ..and those guys should be much more polished right?

Pump the brakes your talking about what, 7 NHL games?

Steve Kampfer looked pretty good here too back in his first stint with the Bruins back in 2011, better than Clifton does now, and we all know how that turned out for him.

I've liked the work done by both Clifton and Cave since their recall, but the hype around both players here the past week is ridiculous.

 

[EdwardSharpe]

I like him, good first pass, nice wheels and hits hard. Boston needs some younger players who can skate but also play a physical game. I would rather trade Lauzon, to many good left handed defenseman.