Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – After signing a veteran defenseman in Erik Johnson from the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, the Buffalo Sabres inked another blue liner at the start of NHL Free Agency in former Boston Bruins defenseman Connor Clifton.
Clifton struggled at times last season for the Bruins, but comes from the U.S. National Team Development Program. Sabres head coach Don Granato would be able to tell general manager Kevyn Adams if he can get him back to where he was.
The contract really isn’t out of whack for Buffalo, as the Sabres gave the 28-year-old a three-year contract with an average annual value of $3.3 million. Clifton is coming off a three-year, $3 million deal with the Bruins.
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Clifton is a rugged defenseman who is tough to play against. In 232 NHL games, he has 10 goals and 33 assists for 43 points.
After spending his time with the USNTDP, Clifton played four seasons at Quinnipiac University.
With Clifton and Johnson in the fold, it’ll be interesting to see if Ilya Lyubushkin, Riley Stillman or Jason Bryson will be traded.
Winger Victor Olofsson is another trade candidate for the Sabres this offseason.
