Connor Clifton
| Position | Right Defense | Current Team | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| Shoots | Right | Current Contract | 3 years |
| Height | 6'0" | Expires | 2025-26 |
| Weight (lbs) | 196 | Expiry Age (Jun 30) | 31 |
| Age | 30 (Apr 28, 1995) | Expiry Status | UFA |
| Drafted | 2013, Round 5, Overall 133 (PHX) |
| Date | Team | Transaction | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 28, 2025 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Acquired from Buffalo Sabres | |
| Jun 28, 2025 | Buffalo Sabres | Traded to Pittsburgh Penguins | |
| Jul 1, 2023 | Buffalo Sabres | Signed 3 years @ $3.333M AAV starting in 2023-24 | |
| Jul 1, 2019 | Boston Bruins | Signed 3 years @ $1.000M AAV starting in 2020-21 | |
| May 3, 2018 | Boston Bruins | Signed to an entry level contract. |
2024-25 Player Card
URL: https://www.thestanleycap.com/cdn/player_cards/20242025/connor-clifton-8477365.png
2023-24 Player Card
URL: https://www.thestanleycap.com/cdn/player_cards/20232024/connor-clifton-8477365.png
About Player Cards
Player cards present an infographic of a players performance. In this case it shows the player performance over a 3 season span. Each square is separated into three separate sub-boxes with the two smaller boxes on top representing the past two seasons and the larger box on the bottom representing the current or most recent season. This allows the reader to guage how consistent a player has been, and if early in the season it can help identify whether a players performance may be impacted by small sample size and subject to regression or is consistent with recent past performance.
Notes and Definitions
- The numbers represent percentiles so the higher the better.
- Percentiles are determined by comparing Forwards to Forwards and Defensemen to Defensemen.
- Bursts/mi are calculated from NHL Edge Data are are speed bursts above 20mpg per mile skated. The NHL doesn't adjust for ice time so the players that skate more will naturally have more bursts over 20, or at least more opportunity to have more. The NHL also does not provide ice time in the context of NHL Edge Statistics, however, it does provide distance skated. By adjusting for distance skated it will have a similar effect to adjusting for ice time but also adjust for situationional effect. For example, Players don't typically skate as much on the PK, mostly within the defensive zone, so don't get significant opportunity in that ice time to get speed bursts above 20mph. Adjusting with miles skates would account for this better than adjusting with ice time.
- Sh%AE is Shooting Percentage above Expected (Sh% - xSh%) and is an indicator of how good a shooter is at converting chances into goals.
- Relative statistics are On Ice - Off Ice statistics and can be an indicator of whether the player makes his teammates better or worse.
- All data is 5v5 except Shooting Hardest and Average, Skating Top Speed and Bursts/mi which are all situations, ES Average which is even strength (NHL doesn't give a specific definition).
Data Sources
- Salary data is from TheStanleyCap.com
- Shooting and Skating (except Sh%AE) are from NHL Edge
- Other statistics are from Puckalytics.com and derived from data from NHL.com
Terms of Use
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Note: The image will update daily throughout the season so if you want to include snapshot then you must download the image.
If you have any questions, send an e-mail to the e-mail address at the top of this page.
5v5 Individual Stats
| Season | Team(s) | GP | TOI | G/60 | A/60 | Pts/60 | xG/60 | GAE/60 | Sh% | xSh% | Sh%AE | %SA Rush | %SA Reb. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | BOS | 19 | 314:22 | 0.00 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.10 | -0.10 | 0.00 | 2.67 | -2.67 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2019-20 | BOS | 31 | 413:17 | 0.29 | 0.00 | 0.29 | 0.14 | 0.15 | 10.53 | 4.93 | 5.60 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2020-21 | BOS | 44 | 706:35 | 0.08 | 0.34 | 0.42 | 0.14 | -0.05 | 2.13 | 3.45 | -1.33 | 0.00 | 1.43 |
| 2021-22 | BOS | 60 | 866:46 | 0.14 | 0.55 | 0.69 | 0.21 | -0.07 | 2.53 | 3.78 | -1.25 | 1.90 | 1.90 |
| 2022-23 | BOS | 78 | 1214:58 | 0.20 | 0.79 | 0.99 | 0.25 | -0.05 | 4.60 | 5.87 | -1.27 | 3.08 | 4.62 |
| 2023-24 | BUF | 79 | 1111:59 | 0.16 | 0.76 | 0.92 | 0.20 | -0.04 | 4.17 | 5.25 | -1.09 | 2.88 | 1.92 |
| 2024-25 | BUF | 73 | 951:42 | 0.06 | 0.76 | 0.82 | 0.19 | -0.12 | 1.82 | 5.40 | -3.58 | 0.00 | 2.13 |
| 2025-26 | PIT | 3 | 46:07 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.18 | -0.18 | 0.00 | 7.08 | -7.08 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
5v5 On Ice Stats
| Season | Team(s) | GP | TOI | SAF/60 | GF/60 | xGF/60 | SAA/60 | GA/60 | xGA/60 | GF% | xGF% | xGF Rel | xGA Rel | xGF% Rel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | BOS | 19 | 314:22 | 37.98 | 1.91 | 2.31 | 31.49 | 0.95 | 1.90 | 66.67 | 54.83 | -0.33 | -0.37 | 1.10 |
| 2019-20 | BOS | 31 | 413:17 | 34.84 | 2.32 | 1.91 | 44.13 | 2.03 | 2.41 | 53.33 | 44.25 | -0.46 | 0.33 | -9.00 |
| 2020-21 | BOS | 44 | 706:35 | 38.64 | 2.12 | 1.99 | 36.85 | 1.70 | 1.97 | 55.56 | 50.24 | -0.69 | -0.21 | -4.90 |
| 2021-22 | BOS | 60 | 866:46 | 44.72 | 2.42 | 2.46 | 36.76 | 2.42 | 2.06 | 50.00 | 54.40 | -0.40 | 0.05 | -4.30 |
| 2022-23 | BOS | 78 | 1214:58 | 41.88 | 2.91 | 2.67 | 43.21 | 2.02 | 2.55 | 59.00 | 51.21 | -0.20 | 0.16 | -3.44 |
| 2023-24 | BUF | 79 | 1111:59 | 39.39 | 2.59 | 2.33 | 41.17 | 2.27 | 2.56 | 53.33 | 47.64 | -0.22 | 0.04 | -2.65 |
| 2024-25 | BUF | 73 | 951:42 | 38.14 | 2.40 | 2.26 | 46.21 | 3.15 | 2.68 | 43.18 | 45.77 | -0.08 | 0.28 | -3.60 |
| 2025-26 | PIT | 3 | 46:07 | 31.23 | 1.30 | 1.65 | 54.64 | 5.20 | 2.80 | 20.00 | 37.12 | -0.59 | 0.07 | -7.98 |
NHL Edge Stats
| Skating | Shooting | Zone Time | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | GP | Top Speed | Bursts>20/mi | Avg. Speed | ES Avg. Speed | Top Speed | Avg. Speed | %Long Range | %Mid Range | %High Danger | ES DZ% | ES NZ% | ES OZ% |
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Legend
| Percentile 0-25 | Percentile 25-50 | Percentile 50-75 | Percentile 75-100 |
5v5 Defense Pairs
| Season | Teammate | Team | TOI | GF/60 | GA/60 | GF% | xGF/60 | xGA/60 | xGF% | xGF Rel | xGA Rel | xGF% Rel |
|---|
Glossary
| Type | Statistic | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | G/60 | Goals Against per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | A/60 | Assists per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | Pts/60 | Points per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | xG/60 | Expected Goals per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | GAE/60 | Goals Above Expected (G/60 - xG/60). |
| Individual | Sh% | Shooting Percentage. |
| Individual | xSh% | Expected Shooting Percentage. |
| Individual | Sh%AE | Shooting percentage above expected (Sh% - xSh%). |
| Individual | %SA Rush | Percentage of shot attempts determined to be on the rush. |
| Individual | %SA Reb. | Percentage of shot attempts determined to be from rebounds. |
| On Ice | SAF/60 | Shot Attempts For per 60 minutes. |
| On Ice | GF/60 | Goals For per 60 minutes. |
| On Ice | xGF/60 | Expected Goals For per 60 minutes. |
| On Ice | SAA/60 | Shot Attempts Against per 60 minutes (lower is better). |
| On Ice | GA/60 | Goals Against per 60 minutes (lower is better). |
| On Ice | xGA/60 | Expected Goals Against per 60 minutes (lower is better). |
| On Ice | GF% | Goals For Percentage = Goals For / (Goals For + Goals Against) |
| On Ice | xGF% | Expected Goals For Percentage = Expected Goals For / (Expected Goals For + Expected Goals Against) |
| On Ice | xGF Rel | xGF/60 when On Ice - xGF/60 when not On Ice. |
| On Ice | xGA Rel | xGA/60 when On Ice - xGA/60 when not On Ice (lower is better). |
| On Ice | xGF% Rel | xGF% when On Ice - xGF% when not On Ice. |
News and Opinions
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Pens recall Owen Pickering at Pens Burgh (Tue Oct 28, 2025)
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Penguins Outgunned by CBJ in a Shootout, 5-4 at PenguinPoop.com (Sun Oct 26, 2025)
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Penguins/Blue Jackets Recap: Pens rally but lose in shootout at Pens Burgh (Sun Oct 26, 2025)
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Penguins/Florida Recap: Plucky Pens power past Panthers at Pens Burgh (Fri Oct 24, 2025)
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Should the Penguins Rotate Their Defensemen? at PenguinPoop.com (Tue Oct 21, 2025)
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Penguins Update: Danger, Will Robinson at PenguinPoop.com (Sat Oct 18, 2025)
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Penguins' Notebook: Small Lineup Changes May Happen Saturday In San Jose at Yahoo Sports NHL (Sat Oct 18, 2025)
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Late Penalty Dooms Penguins As Ducks Win, 4-3 at Yahoo Sports NHL (Wed Oct 15, 2025)
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Penguins/Ducks Recap: Pens fall after late Anaheim power play goal at Pens Burgh (Wed Oct 15, 2025)
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Game Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins @ Anaheim Ducks 10/13/25 at Pens Burgh (Tue Oct 14, 2025)
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4 Early Trade Candidates For The Penguins at Yahoo Sports NHL (Tue Oct 14, 2025)
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Game Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers 10/6/2025 at Pens Burgh (Tue Oct 7, 2025)
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Ladies and Gents, Your 2025-26 Pittsburgh Penguins at PenguinPoop.com (Sun Oct 5, 2025)
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Penguins Recover, Cut Down Sabres Behind Crosby’s Two Goals at PenguinPoop.com (Sat Oct 4, 2025)
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Pens/Sabres Recap: Thoughts as the preseason ends at Pens Burgh (Sat Oct 4, 2025)
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2025 Pittsburgh Penguins Preseason Game 7 vs Buffalo Sabres at WonderPens (Fri Oct 3, 2025)
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Penguins Separating the Wheat from the Chaff at PenguinPoop.com (Fri Oct 3, 2025)
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Penguins' Pre-Season: Final 23-Man Roster Prediction Edition at Yahoo Sports NHL (Thu Oct 2, 2025)
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Penguins announce lineup for game against Buffalo at Pens Burgh (Tue Sep 30, 2025)
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Projecting the Penguins’ 2025-26 roster at Pens Burgh (Tue Sep 30, 2025)
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2025 Pittsburgh Penguins Preseason Game 3 vs Detroit Red Wings at WonderPens (Fri Sep 26, 2025)
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2025 Pittsburgh Penguins Preseason Game 2 at Columbus Blue Jackets at WonderPens (Wed Sep 24, 2025)
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Penguins Make First Cut; Announce Roster For Second Pre-season Tilt at Yahoo Sports NHL (Wed Sep 24, 2025)
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Penguins announce game lineup vs Columbus at Pens Burgh (Wed Sep 24, 2025)
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Penguins/Canadiens Recap: Thoughts and observations on the first preseason game at Pens Burgh (Tue Sep 23, 2025)
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2025 Pittsburgh Penguins Preseason Game 1 at Montreal Canadiens at WonderPens (Mon Sep 22, 2025)
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Penguins announce roster for preseason game against Montreal at Pens Burgh (Sun Sep 21, 2025)
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Top storylines to track at Penguins 2025 training camp at Pens Burgh (Thu Sep 18, 2025)
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2025 Pittsburgh Penguins Training Camp at WonderPens (Sun Sep 14, 2025)
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Expectations for Penguins Defensemen in 2025-26 at The Hockey Writers (Tue Sep 9, 2025)
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Projecting Penguins Defense; Waiting on New AHL Rule at Yahoo Sports (Sun Sep 7, 2025)
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How can this key Buffalo Sabres defenseman build on his breakout season? at Sabres Noise (Sat Sep 6, 2025)
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Over/Under for the Pittsburgh Penguins new veteran players this season at Pens Burgh (Thu Sep 4, 2025)
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Over/Under for the Pittsburgh Penguins new veteran players this season at Yahoo Sports (Thu Sep 4, 2025)
Current Contract
Standard Contract (UFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
Standard Contract (RFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
| Season | Age* | Clause | Cap Hit | AAV | Perf. Bonus | Sign. Bonus | Salary | Compensation | Minors Salary | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 25 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | - | $100,000 | $900,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | RFA-arb | ||
| 2021-22 | 26 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | - | $100,000 | $900,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | RFA-arb | ||
| 2022-23 | 27 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | - | $100,000 | $900,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | UFA | ||
| Total | - | $300,000 | $2,700,000 | $3,000,000 | $3,000,000 |
Entry Level Contract ( ) (0 ratings)
| Season | Age* | Clause | Cap Hit | AAV | Perf. Bonus | Sign. Bonus | Salary | Compensation | Minors Salary | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 23 | $725,000 | $735,000 | - | $50,000 | $650,000 | $700,000 | $70,000 | ELC | ||
| 2019-20 | 24 | $725,000 | $735,000 | $20,000 | $50,000 | $700,000 | $750,000 | $70,000 | ELC | ||
| Total | $20,000 | $100,000 | $1,350,000 | $1,450,000 | $140,000 |
Career Statistics
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | League | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | Shots | Sh% | TOI/G | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | Shots | Sh% | TOI/G |
| 2008-09 | AYMBHL | New Jersey Jr. Titans Bantam Min | 32 | 15 | 11 | 26 | 92 | |||||||||||||
| 2009-10 | EmJHL | New Jersey Hitmen | 33 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 59 | |||||||||||||
| 2009-10 | EmJHL | Jersey Hitmen | 3 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2010-11 | EmJHL | Jersey | 36 | 4 | 14 | 18 | 95 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 | ||||||||
| 2011-12 | USHL | USNTDP | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 16 | 12 | 833.0 | ||||||||||
| 2011-12 | EmJHL | Jersey | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 26 | |||||||||||||
| 2011-12 | U-17 | USNTDP | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | |||||||||||||
| 2011-12 | EJHL | Jersey | 28 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 46 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 15 | |||||||||
| 2012-13 | U-18 | USNTDP | 41 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 24 | |||||||||||||
| 2012-13 | USHL | USNTDP | 25 | 3 | 6 | 9 | +11 | 90 | 38 | 789.0 | ||||||||||
| 2012-13 | WJ18-A | USA | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -3 | 2 | 5 | 2,000.0 | ||||||||||
| 2013-14 | ECAC | Quinnipiac | 36 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 106 | |||||||||||||
| 2014-15 | ECAC | Quinnipiac | 38 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 54 | |||||||||||||
| 2015-16 | NCAA | Quinnipiac Univ. | 43 | 7 | 21 | 28 | +20 | 42 | ||||||||||||
| 2016-17 | NCAA | Quinnipiac Univ. | 39 | 7 | 7 | 14 | -2 | 82 | ||||||||||||
| 2017-18 | AHL | Providence Bruins | 54 | 4 | 9 | 13 | +11 | 35 | 4 | -3 | 2 | |||||||||
| 2018-19 | AHL | Providence Bruins | 53 | 6 | 21 | 27 | +13 | 52 | ||||||||||||
| 2018-19 | NHL | Boston Bruins | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +5 | 15 | 22 | 0.0 | 17:42 | 18 | 2 | 3 | 5 | +2 | 16 | 11 | 18.2 | 13:17 |
| 2019-20 | AHL | Providence Bruins | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +2 | |||||||||||||
| 2019-20 | NHL | Boston Bruins | 31 | 2 | 0 | 2 | +4 | 12 | 20 | 10.0 | 14:25 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 6 | 12 | 8.3 | 15:40 |
| 2020-21 | NHL | Boston Bruins | 44 | 1 | 6 | 7 | +10 | 38 | 48 | 2.1 | 18:13 | 10 | 2 | 10 | 0.0 | 17:51 | ||||
| 2021-22 | NHL | Boston Bruins | 60 | 2 | 8 | 10 | -2 | 32 | 80 | 2.5 | 16:04 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +1 | 8 | 10 | 10.0 | 17:07 |
| 2022-23 | NHL | Boston Bruins | 78 | 5 | 18 | 23 | +20 | 60 | 93 | 5.4 | 17:51 | 3 | -4 | 2 | 5 | 0.0 | 14:40 | |||
| 2023-24 | NHL | Buffalo Sabres | 79 | 4 | 14 | 18 | +12 | 88 | 77 | 5.2 | 16:33 | |||||||||
| 2024-25 | NHL | Buffalo Sabres | 73 | 1 | 15 | 16 | -6 | 45 | 63 | 1.6 | 16:03 | |||||||||
| 2025-26 | NHL | Pittsburgh Penguins | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3 | 2 | 2 | 0.0 | 17:34 | |||||||||
| NHL Career | 387 | 15 | 62 | 77 | +40 | 292 | 405 | 3.7 | 16:44 | 46 | 4 | 6 | 10 | -2 | 34 | 48 | 8.3 | 15:22 | ||