Defenseman excited to reunite with Don Granato and bring 'two-way, abrasive style' to Sabres

BUFFALO – Connor Clifton has enjoyed watching and playing against the Buffalo Sabres. Now he’s looking forward to being one of them.

After playing the first five years of his NHL career with the Boston Bruins, the defenseman signed a three-year, $10 million contract with the Sabres an hour into free agency.

“I think everyone feels it. They’ve been building something special the past couple of years, and I’m excited to be part of it,” Clifton said on a Zoom call on July 2. “They obviously missed the wild card, too, by one point last year. They could have easily made playoffs, but they’re just getting better each year. Obviously, the players coming together and they’re just getting older and better. It’s kind of been fun to watch the past couple of years, so I’m just really excited.”

It wasn’t just the team itself that led him to choose Buffalo. Clifton, 28, has a history with coach Don Granato and said he was a “huge part” in his decision.

In the 2011-12 season, he was playing for the New Jersey Hitmen, a junior team in his home state. It was his Under-17 year, and he hadn’t been invited to play for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, coached by Granato. But when the team was short on defense, he earned a recall.

It was the first time Clifton met Granato and he didn’t know any of his new teammates, either.

“He was a huge part of getting me comfortable,” he said. “That month of hockey I think I learned more than I ever have, honestly, in that short a period, just because of the way he wanted to play and what I learned. … It helped me a lot in college to the professional level.”

The Sabres identified an upgrade on defense was needed in order for them to take the next step. Granato wanted general manager Kevyn Adams to pursue Clifton and the GM felt the same, having watched him “for years and he’s a player I’ve always liked a lot.”

“He’s our kind of guy,” Adams said. “He’s competitive, he’s a great character person. He’s going to help our group. He’s a good skater, physical presence. He has a real familiarity with the way we want and need to play as a team, obviously, with his history of Donny. … In my conversations with he and his agents, quickly I realized the admiration and respect he has for Donny and the history. That felt like a pretty good fit, so we were able to move quickly. He’s going to bring a lot to the table.”

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Clifton feels his “two-way, abrasive style” fits well with the Sabres. He was able to showcase his game more often this past season as injuries hit the Bruins’ defense, especially early, elevating his role and averaging over 21 minutes through the first half of the season. That boost helped him to career highs with and without the puck, finishing the season with 23 points (five goals,18 assists) and 208 hits.

“I think my offensive side of things took a jump this past year with [coach Jim Montgomery] helping me build confidence on that side of things, but I’ve always tried to accept my role and play to my role and that’s what it’s been,” Clifton said. “It’s been trying to throw the body around, trying to create some energy for my teammates.

“I always used to hit a lot when I was younger, too. Kind of use my legs to match the speed of opponents. It’s a great way to get good players off their game, so I learned that when I was young and it still applies today in the NHL. So, I don’t think I’m going to change that ever because I love that portion of my style.”

And while he’s excited to start the next chapter of his career, there’s one thing he’s less hopeful for.

“I remember Tage had a nice highlight-reel goal against me this year, so I don’t look forward to that in practice,” he said.