Connor Clifton

Clifton's contributions didn't get talked about much, but the former Quinnipiac product was a key cog in Boston's record-breaking 2022-23 campaign. He appeared in 78 of 82 regular season games for the club, tallying five goals, 23 points, 208 hits, and 120 blocked shots while averaging nearly 18 minutes per game (17:51). Clifton priced himself out of a return to Beantown with his strong play, inking a three-year, $10 million deal with Buffalo in free agency. The New Jersey native should fill a top-four role for the Sabres in 2023-24, albeit a mainly defensive one that won't produce any fantasy value.

The injury bug forced Clifton into a prominent role for the Bruins last season, and he responded with career highs in games played (44), assists (7), points (10), shots on goal (48) and average time on ice (18:13). Clifton will never be a major point producer at the NHL level, but he's almost certain to be a regular for Boston this coming season, likely paired alongside fellow American Matt Grzelcyk. While that's not a role that will lead to fantasy prominence, it's an exceptional real-life outcome for the former fifth-rounder (2013) and Quinnipiac product.

Clifton appeared in 31 games with the Bruins last season, potting two goals while racking up 90 hits over that span. The 25-year-old New Jersey native should be a fixture on Boston's bottom pairing in 2020-21, but he'll produce next to no offense, and won't be a viable option in any fantasy formats.

Clifton was originally a fifth-round draft pick by the Coyotes in 2013, but after not signing with Arizona, he ended up joining AHL Providence in August of 2017. The Quinnipiac product's efforts there resulted in him inking a deal with the big club, and then injuries led to the 24-year-old earning an NHL promotion this past season. Over 19 regular-season contests with Boston, Clifton logged just one helper, but in the process, he played well enough to establish himself as a valuable member of the team's blue-line rotation. During the Bruins' postseason run, Clifton chipped in two goals and five points in 18 games and earned himself an extension, a move that gives him some financial security, while giving the team a solid blue-line piece at a team-friendly cap cost. Looking ahead, Clifton isn't a big fantasy factor, given that he doesn't see much power-play duty, but he is capable in the transition game and isn't rattled by the physical aspect of NHL duty, despite his 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame.