Cliffy ain't scared. He doesn't know he's not supposed to crank a guy 3-4 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier into a heap. He's not supposed to wheel the puck out of the corner in his own zone, make a quick pass and then take off to join the rush,. Sneak in from the point in the third period of a one goal game in the playoffs and snipe a top shelf laser. That's Cliffy, he don't know better. So please, nobody tell him. Cause Cliffy don't play scared.
Former Bruins Connor Clifton
- Thread starter rocketdan9
- Start date
Jean_Jacket41
Neely = HOF
Another awesome contract by Sweeney.
Love Clifton hockey.
Love Clifton hockey.
TwineTickler
TheUltimateBruin
Not sure if this was posted elsewhere... but damn Cliffy. He has been a treat to watch these last two games. Keep it up! One thing you've got to love is that he's absolutely fearless. Just goes and plays, has that nasty edge to him and seems like he's shot out of a cannon constantly. Love it. Keep it going.
N o o d l e s
Registered User
I certainly don't wish for this, but one of these days some big Tom Wilson-esque brute is going to absolutely truck him with a hit and lay him out. Just because he's a smaller guy who's no respecter of size and puts his body where many others won't. That's the moment when we'll see whether his fearlessness really is unshakable and he's going to carry on with his style no matter what, or whether he tempers it somewhat. I'm all for the former and think that's just what he'll do. Cliffy hockey and all the joy it brings will just keep on keeping on.
No problem with the contract, although the term is a bit puzzling. I would have thought two years. Cliffy plays great in stretches, and can really impact the game, but he also has a tendency to fade, and when he does he makes a lot of mistakes. Right now he has certainly proven himself as the #6D.
Next year:
Gryz - McAvoy
Lauzon - Carlo
Chara - Cliffy
*Chara can prove me wrong and claim his top spot, but I think it might be time to transition new d-pairs.
Next year:
Gryz - McAvoy
Lauzon - Carlo
Chara - Cliffy
*Chara can prove me wrong and claim his top spot, but I think it might be time to transition new d-pairs.
Yeah I can't help wishing he was a little taller and a little heavier. I also wish his taller, heavier teammates had a little more of his guts.
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hes gotta be our fastest defenseman.
he is the only one i consistantly see getting by opposing players carrying the puck.
i think he should do that more often. his offensive ability is underrated.
he is the only one i consistantly see getting by opposing players carrying the puck.
i think he should do that more often. his offensive ability is underrated.
Oates2Neely
Registered User
I feel like Clifton will be a guy who terrorizes the Habs for years to come.
He’s a mix of Ference & Boychuk. Maybe more talented than both
He’s a mix of Ference & Boychuk. Maybe more talented than both
TP
Global Moderator
- Dec 2, 2008
- 50,458
- 23,768
Love the kid and the contract. Just watch those unnecessary icings!
The don godfather
Registered User
TwineTickler
TheUltimateBruin
Great comparison... Ference/Boychuck mix with way better skating. Also a bit of Kevan Miller
False Start
Registered User
- May 8, 2018
- 715
- 702
He definitely won't do it more often. McAvoy does it, Grzelyck does it, Krug does it.
Bruce benches Clifton if he's playing too fast, which leads to turnovers and lost coverage on D. I often get Clifton mixed up with Charlie when they go end to end. He's got flair and skill but it comes with a high risk. Everyone knows this and since the other guys have been doing it longer, Bruce trust them more.
That said, he's outplayed Lauzon thus far in post season, when it was the other way around in the regular season.
KnightofBoston
Registered User
krug should not be doing it. he doesnt have the speed. he gets himself in trouble when he tries carrying thepuck through the opposing team. He is an excellent passer with great vision tbough.
Clifton also doesn’t have the same defensive awareness, ability to get back after a rush, or puck handling skills as a McAvoy.
Also depends on who the forward lines are that Clifton plays with. If he rushes the puck up and Krejci has to cover for him rather than a Bergeron or Coyle, he may think twice about rushing it up.
trenton1
Bergeron for Hart
Sweeney is great at identifying solid d-men. This deal is great. Need to keep him away from Seattle.
TwineTickler
TheUltimateBruin
Even with Chara and Krug gone we are unfortunately going to most likely lose a quality Dman... my hope is that Sweeney offers up an extra incentive for Seattle to take John Moore assuming he isn't moved before then. I've always thought the expansion draft was one of the reasons, aside from depth, for the moore signing.
This guy is making Bruce's job harder than expected in deciding who comes out when Grizz is back. It's probably still Cliffy, which is a shame because he is playing quite well. With him as the 7th and Moore as the 8th, that's some serious depth. Who knows if Vaak makes his way in there too at some point.
I like Cliffy's play in general. He can be churlish and punishing, and he has some attack to his game. All good things. But I sometimes see him struggling a bit with decision-making in the D zone. Maybe it's just me? Does it seem like his D zone hockey IQ might be a little behind the rest of the pack?
DominicT
Registered User
He leads the defense in defensive zone starts. I think the coaches trust him back there.
veganbruin
Registered User
Cliffy doesn’t think he just does. Sometimes he does too quickly and recklessly.
no.
hes one of the few that actually dont mess around and gets the puck out.
he takes the body well and doesnt gets pushed around.
