Penguins’ Connor Clifton Ready to Bring Physicality to the Team
Penguins Connor Clifton ready to bring physicality to the team. Get ready for a shakeup on the Pittsburgh Penguins blue line because Connor Clifton isn’t here to play it safe. The Penguins have a crowded field of right-handed defenseman all vying for a spot this season, but new arrival Clifton has already been given a clear directive. Don’t hold back. Coach Dan Muse, who hasn’t yet sorted out the pecking order among his right shot defensemen, pulled Clifton aside with a message that cuts through the noise. “He told me, don’t come in passive. Be aggressive. Be yourself,” Clifton shared during his first press conference with the Pittsburgh media. “That’s exactly what I needed to hear. I’m really looking forward to this opportunity.” But here’s where it gets controversial. Clifton’s journey to Pittsburgh hasn’t been smooth sailing. He and Muse actually go way back. Muse once tried to recruit Clifton to Yale, but Clifton chose Quinnipiac instead, likely for hockey reasons. Since then, Clifton’s NHL career has seen its share of ups and downs. After stints with the Boston Bruins and more recently the Buffalo Sabres, Clifton found himself benched in Buffalo, struggling not just with his on- ice performance, but also with the mental toll of being sidelined. Last season, Clifton played 73 games for Buffalo, but his offensive numbers were modest, just one goal and 15 assists. However, he made his presence felt physically, leading the Sabres with a staggering 208 hits. For context, only one other player on the team even surpassed 150 hits. Still, like many before him, Clifton seemed to get lost in the malaise that has plagued the Buffalo franchise in recent years. I wasn’t happy with how things were going, Clifton admitted. Honestly, it wasn’t just last year. For the past two years, I felt like my game was stuck. There were mental battles and I even got scratched a couple of times two years ago. I kind of lost myself in Buffalo. So, when I got the call that I was headed to Pittsburgh, I was thrilled. I want to get back to playing my game and making an impact. And this is the part most people miss. Clifton’s reputation as a tough, physical defenseman is well-earned. In his very first NHL game, he dropped the gloves with none other than Jason Spezza, now the Penguins assistant GM. Clifton even revealed that Spza offered him a rematch the next time they met, but he didn’t feel the need to prove himself again. Over five seasons with Boston and two with Buffalo, Clifton has racked up 384 NHL games, 77 points, 290 penalty minutes, and 17 professional fights. his first pro fight against former Penguins winger Bobby Farnum in the AHL. All this despite being considered undized for a defenseman at 5’11 and 195 lbs. People have always said I’m small, but that’s just pushed me to compete even harder. Clifton explained, “That edge is what got me to the NHL, and it’s what will keep me here.” Here’s a stat that might surprise you. The Penguins have been missing this kind of grit for years. Last season, their most physical defenseman, Chris Leang, had just 120 hits in 74 games. Ryan Graves was next with only 75. No wonder GM Kyle Dubis was eager to bring Clifton in, even if it meant parting with Connor Timonss. The Penguins also snagged a second round pick in the deal with Buffalo, which they used to draft Payton Kettles at 39th overall. But perhaps the quietest part of Clifton’s story is how he learned about the trade. It was kind of funny, he recalled. I was putting my daughter down for a nap and missed a call from Kevin Adams, the Sabres GM. My wife and I were both napping, and when I finally saw the message, I had to whisper in the bathroom so I wouldn’t wake anyone. When I heard it was Pittsburgh, I was really excited. So, what do you think? Is Clifton the missing piece? the Penguins defense has been lacking, or is his physical style overrated in today’s NHL. Some say the league is moving away from old school grit, while others argue it’s exactly what Pittsburgh needs. Where do you stand? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s get the debate started. Connor Clifton joins Penguins, vows to return to his old self. Penguins defense update. There’s something undeniably compelling about Connor Clifton’s journey back to form. A story of grit, identity, and the fierce determination to reclaim what once was. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing. His road hasn’t just been about survival. It’s been about fighting, literally and figuratively, to prove himself in an unforgiving league. Connor Clifton’s introduction to the NHL wasn’t exactly subtle. When he first stepped on the ice for the Boston Bruins on November 16th, 2018, he quickly learned that the league can be an intimidating place. During his debut game against the Dallas Stars, Clifton encountered veteran Jason Spzza. What started as a simple shove escalated quickly. Speza slashed him, threw punches, dropped his gloves, and tried to rattle the rookie. But Clifton wasn’t having it. He retaliated swiftly, pinning Spza to the ice in a decisive moment that set the tone for his style of play. It was an early lesson. To survive at this level, you have to be tough, relentless, and willing to stand your ground. Fast forward to today, and the roles have shifted, but the connection remains fascinating. Jason Spezza is now the assistant general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins. And ironically, Clifton’s new boss after the Penguins acquired him in a multiplayer trade with the Buffalo Sabres on June 28th. In his characteristic candidness, Clifton recalled his first NHL fight is something less about bravado and more about survival. I was just trying to get through game one, he said. He was really looking for it more than me. We had a quick fight and then took our time in the penalty box. Clifton’s approach to hockey, scrappy, hardworking, and unyielding, has helped him thrive in the NHL for seven seasons. Even though he doesn’t have the prototypical size of some defensemen, standing 5′ 11 in tall and weighing 195 lbs, he’s built his career on being tenacious and physical. In fact, he’s consistently been a leader in the hits department, topping that stat on each team he’s played for in the last three seasons. 208 hits with Boston in 2022 to 23, then 204 and 208 hits with Buffalo the following two seasons. This relentless physicality defines him. That’s always been a key part of my game, Clifton shared. I believe I earned my way to the NHL by out competing others, and that’s the style that keeps me here. What makes this move to Pittsburgh intriguing isn’t just the trade itself, but the context surrounding it. After a turbulent 2024 to25 season where Clifton faced inconsistencies and was a healthy scratch in five games, Buffalo was eager to move on from the remaining year of his contract which carried a salary cap hit of 3,333,333. Pittsburgh stepped in, willing to give up a second round 2025 draft pick and send depth defender Connor Timonss plus defensive prospect Isaac Belivo to Buffalo to complete the deal. Clifton is refreshingly straightforward about his time in Buffalo, not a period he’s proud of. I wasn’t happy with how things went, he admitted. My play stalled and mentally it was a struggle. There were healthy scratches, not just last year, but the year before as well. Over time, I felt like I lost sight of my game and who I was on the ice. This is the part most people miss. It’s not just about the physical game, but the mental battles that wear players down. For Clifton, the move to Pittsburgh represents more than a trade. It’s a chance for renewal. Getting that call that I’d be a Penguin really fired me up, he said. I’m determined to return to the player I was, the one who impacts the game in the way I know I can. The key now is to simplify my game and just be myself. The Penguins appear eager to embrace exactly that, the rugged, nononsense defender who can bring the edge. During a recent visit to Pittsburgh, Clifton spoke with head coach Dan Muse, who emphasized the importance of work ethic and competitiveness. “He told me to jump in right away, to be aggressive and not passive, and to be exactly who I am,” Clifton recalled. “That endorsement meant a lot to the New Jersey native.” “It’s great to hear. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity.” Yet, the challenge looms large. Pittsburgh’s blue line is crowded with right-handed defensemen, including veterans Chris Leang, Eric Carlson, and Matthew Dumba, another recent acquisition. Alongside them are promising players like Jack Saint Ivan, and prospect Harrison Brunick. The competition will be fierce, and another trade before training camp could shuffle the deck even further. But battles for ice time, roster spots, and respect are familiar territory for Clifton. Reflecting on his path, he remains proud but pragmatic. There are always setbacks along the way, he said honestly. But I believe in the journey I’m on, and I know I still have a lot to contribute. I’m excited for this fresh start in Pittsburgh and can’t wait to get going. So, here’s a question worth pondering. In a league increasingly focused on speed and skill, how much longer can a physical, gritty player like Clifton carve out a niche? Is his style a timeless asset or a fading relic? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you think the Penguins made a savvy move or is this just a stop gap solution? Drop your opinions below and join the conversation. This story was reported by Seth Roorba, a Pittsburgh Penguins beat reporter with Tribl, a native of North Huntington who has covered the Penguins since 2007. He brings years of insight into the team’s evolving dynamics. He can be contacted at sororbri.com.
00:00 – Penguins’ Connor Clifton Ready to Bring Physicality to the Team
04:37 – Connor Clifton Joins Penguins: Vows to Return to His Old Self | Penguins Defense Update
1. Penguins’ Connor Clifton Ready to Bring Physicality to the Team
The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired defenseman Connor Clifton from the Buffalo Sabres.
Clifton is known for his physical play, leading the Sabres with 208 hits last season.
He’s excited to join the Penguins and bring his aggressive style to the team.
With six right-handed defensemen on the roster, Clifton will have to compete for a spot.
However, his physicality could be an asset to the team.
The Penguins have been lacking in this area, and Clifton’s addition could be a welcome change.
He’s ready to get back to his old self and make an impact on the game.
2. Connor Clifton Joins Penguins: Vows to Return to His Old Self | Penguins Defense Update
New Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Connor Clifton opens up about his NHL journey, physical playing style, and determination to rediscover his best game after being acquired from the Buffalo Sabres. Learn how Clifton’s aggressive approach and fresh start in Pittsburgh could boost the Penguins’ blue line. Hear about his past NHL debut fight, his mindset for the season, and what fans can expect as he competes alongside Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson, and Matthew Dumba. Discover why coaches want Clifton to ‘be aggressive and be who he is’—and how this could shape the Penguins’ upcoming season.
Keywords: Connor Clifton, Pittsburgh Penguins, defenseman, NHL trade, physical play, aggressive defense, Clifton hits, new roster, Dan Muse, Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson, Matthew Dumba, Sabres trade, NHL season preview, blue line competition, Penguins updates.
