Connor
Clifton
D · BOS · Defensive · Around average
- PAL
- 53
- WAR
- 0.3
- Value
- 43
- PTS
- 6
2025-26№ 126 / 325
Connor Clifton (Boston Bruins) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Connor Clifton
#75D
Boston Bruins
HEIGHT : 183 cm · WEIGHT : 91 kg · SHOOTS : R
Born : April 27, 1995 · Matawan, United States
Drafted : 2013 · PHX · round 5, pick #133
Contract : $2,250,000 · 2026-27 → 2027-28 · Standard Contract · UFA
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Boston Bruins | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 2025-26 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 50 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 53 |
| 2024-25 | Buffalo Sabres | 73 | 1 | 15 | 16 | 45 |
| 2023-24 | Buffalo Sabres | 79 | 4 | 14 | 18 | 88 |
| 2022-23 | Boston Bruins | 78 | 5 | 18 | 23 | 60 |
| 2021-22 | Boston Bruins | 60 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 32 |
| 2020-21 | Boston Bruins | 44 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 38 |
| 2019-20 | Boston Bruins | 31 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 12 |
| 2018-19 | Boston Bruins | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 15 |
| NHL totals | 441 | 17 | 67 | 84 | 347 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | Boston Bruins | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2021-22 | Boston Bruins | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| 2020-21 | Boston Bruins | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2019-20 | Boston Bruins | 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 2018-19 | Boston Bruins | 18 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 16 |
| Playoff totals | 49 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 34 | |
Connor Clifton: our analysis
2025-26 season: 50 GP, 2 G, 4 A, 6 PTS, +5 +/-, 16:46 TOI. WAR 0.3 (126th of 325) · PAL 53, around average.
In 2025-26, Connor Clifton, 31, posts a PAL Rating of 53 out of 100 (around average), and his WAR of 0.3 ranks 126th among 325 regulars, in the top half.
His strengths: penalty kill (90, among the best in the league), possession (85, among the best in the league) and defense (82, well above average). On the other hand, discipline (1, among the weakest in the league) and creation (2, among the weakest in the league) hold him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: EV offense (+0.8); his biggest cost: penalties (-2.2).
A clear step forward: his PAL went from 29 in 2024-25 to 53; his WAR went from -0.6 to 0.3.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 43 (poor return) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Connor Clifton's story
Growing up in Matawan after being born in Long Branch, New Jersey, Clifton developed his game at Christian Brothers Academy, skating alongside his brother Tim. A season with the U.S. National Development Team Program culminated in a silver medal at the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championship and led to his selection in the fifth round, 133rd overall, by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
Clifton matriculated at Quinnipiac University for the 2013–14 season and combined on-ice progress with academic consistency, earning ECAC Hockey All‑Academic honours in each of his four collegiate seasons. As a junior he served as the Bobcats' captain and collected postseason recognitions: ECAC All‑Tournament, a spot on the NCAA East All‑Frozen Four Team and the ECAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player award.
Unable to reach a contract with Arizona, he turned pro with Providence of the AHL in 2017, skating 54 games before Boston signed him to a two‑year entry‑level NHL deal on May 3, 2018. Clifton made his NHL debut on November 16, 2018, and recorded his first NHL point with an assist on March 23, 2019. His first NHL goal came in Game 2 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Final against Carolina as the Bruins advanced to the Stanley Cup Final, ultimately falling in seven games to St. Louis. During his time in Boston he earned the nickname “Cliffy Hockey.”
Boston kept him with a three‑year, $3 million extension on July 1, 2019. He established himself as a steady third‑pairing defenseman: 2019–20 (2 goals in 33 games, plus eight playoff appearances), 2020–21 (44 games, 1 goal, 6 assists) and the following season (60 games, 2 goals, 8 assists). On July 1, 2023, Clifton signed a three‑year, $9.99 million contract with the Buffalo Sabres.
His time in Buffalo included a disciplinary incident: on October 27, 2023, he was assessed a match penalty for an illegal check to the head of Nico Hischier and received a two‑game suspension. On June 28, 2025, Clifton was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins along with the 39th pick in the 2025 draft in exchange for Conor Timmins and Issac Belliveau; he played 50 games for Pittsburgh in 2025–26, registering 2 goals and 4 assists. On July 1, 2026, he returned to the Bruins organization on a two‑year, $4.5 million deal.
In plain terms, Clifton is a dependable, low‑flash defenseman who fills a third‑pairing role, providing steadiness on the blue line and occasional offensive contributions.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 19:43
- PP TOI/GP
- 0:10
- SH TOI/GP
- 2:01
- Pts/GP
- 0.14
- EV points
- 1
- Hits
- 15
- Blocks
- 7
- Takeaways
- 3
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 53.6 %
- Off. zone starts
- 35.0 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
10between 2 and 17 (80% range)
- Goals
- 3
- Assists
- 7
- Games
- 75
So far: 1 pts in 7 games. The team has played 0 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.13 pts per game (last season: 0.12).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Slightly up
- Points per game: 0.23 in 23-24, 0.12 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 29 → 53
Outlook, age included
→ StableAge 31: the age when production usually declines
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 82 %
75
Established NHL
- SK
- Skating
- 78
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 84
- Confidence 85 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 66
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 71
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 94
- Confidence 85 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 89
- Confidence 63 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 58
- Confidence 85 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 70
- Confidence 82 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 69
- Confidence 82 %
- DF
- Defense
- 78
- Confidence 79 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 76
- Confidence 0 %
- EX
- Experience
- 82
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating78
- Top speed (35 %)35.9 · 80
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)1.89 · 75
- Distance /60 (20 %)14.1 · 72
- Speed consistency (15 %)35.2 · 83
ST — Strength84
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)7.329 · 90
- Body mass (50 %)-0.192 · 69
EN — Endurance66
- Ice time per game (45 %)17 · 64
- Total ice time (20 %)828 · 65
- Shift length (15 %)48 · 78
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)16 · 67
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)2.259 · 74
DU — Durability71
- Share of games played (100 %)0.795 · 71
CK — Checking94
- Hits /60 (70 %)9.479 · 94
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)7.999 · 93
- Season volume (10 %)5.199 · 94
FG — Fighting89
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)1.821 · 89
DI — Discipline58
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)-0.086 · 58
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.878 · 63
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.371 · 74
PA — Passing70
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.307 · 68
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.338 · 66
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)0.016 · 76
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)4.242 · 78
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.168 · 66
SC — Scoring69
- Goals /60 (25 %)0.154 · 65
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)0.185 · 72
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)-0.054 · 62
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)0.143 · 80
- xG per shot (10 %)0.035 · 78
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)8.788 · 68
DF — Defense78
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)-0.032 · 69
- Relative xG against (20 %)-0.109 · 81
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.575 · 77
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)0.218 · 89
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-1.645 · 82
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)57.5 · 78
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)5.636 · 87
PS — Penalty shot76
- Shootouts (60 %)32.7 · 76
- Penalty shots (40 %)26.7 · 76
EX — Experience82
- Career regular-season games (65 %)86
- Career playoff games (25 %)74
- NHL seasons (10 %)75
OV — Overall75
- DF · Defense (30 %)78
- PA · Passing (22 %)70
- SK · Skating (12 %)78
- SC · Scoring (12 %)69
- EN · Endurance (9 %)66
- ST · Strength (6 %)84
- DI · Discipline (5 %)58
- CK · Checking (4 %)94
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 75 | 78 | 69 | 78 |
| 2024-25 | 73 | 78 | 71 | 69 |
| 2023-24 | 76 | 80 | 78 | 67 |
| 2022-23 | 76 | 85 | 79 | 64 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
0.3
wins above replacement
126 of 325
PAL Rating
53/ 100
Performance · Around average
112 of 250 at the position
Value Rating
43/ 100
Poor return
3.33 M$ · expected PAL 58
ProfileDefensiveValue comes mostly from defense
- Offense
- 25
- Defense
- 87
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 13
- Creation
- 2
- Shooting
- 43
- Possession
- 85
- Defense
- 82
- Discipline
- 1
- Power play
- 63
- Penalty kill
- 90
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | PIT | 0.3 | 53 | 43 | 3.33 M$ |
| 2024-25 | BUF | -0.6 | 29 | 20 | 3.33 M$ |
| 2023-24 | BUF | -0.4 | 22 | 15 | 3.33 M$ |
| 2022-23 | BOS | 0.1 | 39 | 44 | 1.00 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
27/ 100
Below average
better than 27% of defensemen, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
6/ 100
Low
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
64/ 100
Average
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 164 of 225 defensemen.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 19
- Shot selection
- 35
- Penalties drawn
- 7
- Puck management
- 10
Defense
- Takeaways
- 72
- Discipline
- 22
- Safe zone exits
- 90
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | PIT | 27 | 6 | 64 |
| 2024-25 | BUF | 53 | 69 | 35 |
| 2023-24 | BUF | 70 | 71 | 56 |
| 2022-23 | BOS | 50 | 68 | 36 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
0.3
wins above replacement
-0.2 to 1.1 — 90% interval
126 of 325 defensemen
+1.6 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- +0.8
- EV defense
- +0.2
- Power play
- 0.0
- Penalty kill
- +0.7
- Shooting
- +0.3
- Penalties
- -2.2
- Average → replacement
- +1.7
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | PIT | 50 | 0.3 | -0.2 to 1.1 | 126/325 |
| 2024-25 | BUF | 69 | -0.6 | -1.1 to -0.2 | 294/314 |
| 2023-24 | BUF | 79 | -0.4 | -1.2 to 0.8 | 277/316 |
| 2022-23 | BOS | 78 | 0.1 | -0.6 to 1.1 | 147/334 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 129.2 km/h14th percentileleague avg. 139.7 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 32.8 km/h18th percentileleague avg. 34.0 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 752nd percentileleague avg. 8
- Offensive zone time
- 40.8 %46th percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 32.1 km25th percentileleague avg. 56.1 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 5.54 km72nd percentileleague avg. 4.98 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 41.9 %50th percentileleague avg. 42.8 %
- Neutral zone time
- 19.3 %96th percentileleague avg. 16.9 %
- Defensive zone time
- 39.8 %58th percentileleague avg. 40.8 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 831st percentile | 049th percentile | 0.0 %27th percentile |
| High danger | 051st percentile | 084th percentile | 0.0 %0th percentile |
| Mid range | 020th percentile | 073rd percentile | 0.0 %0th percentile |
| Long range | 222nd percentile | 077th percentile | 0.0 %67th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
STL
PHI
UTA
OTT
MIN
WPG
NYRConnor Clifton: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Connor Clifton have in 2026-27?
Connor Clifton has 0 goals and 1 point (1 assist) in 7 games in 2026-27.
How old is Connor Clifton?
Connor Clifton is 31 years old: he was born on April 28, 1995.
How tall is Connor Clifton, and how much does he weigh?
Connor Clifton is 6'0" (183 cm) and weighs 201 lb (91 kg).
Where is Connor Clifton from?
United States: Connor Clifton was born in Matawan, New Jersey, United States.
What team does Connor Clifton play for?
Connor Clifton plays for the Boston Bruins in the NHL, at D, wearing number 75.
Is Connor Clifton injured?
No: Connor Clifton is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Connor Clifton?
Connor Clifton produced 0.3 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 126th of 325 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 53 out of 100: around average for his position.
How much does Connor Clifton make?
Connor Clifton earns $3.3M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 43 out of 100 (poor return): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Connor Clifton's contract end?
Connor Clifton's contract runs through the 2027-28 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent.
Is Connor Clifton overpaid?
Yes, his output falls short of what his salary should buy. His Value rating is 43 out of 100 (poor return), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Connor Clifton a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 126th of 325 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Connor Clifton getting better?
Yes: his PAL rating went from 29 in 2024-25 to 53 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Connor Clifton played lately?
Over his last 7 games, Connor Clifton has 1 point (0 goals, 1 assist).
What are Connor Clifton's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Connor Clifton has 441 games, 17 goals, 67 assists and 84 points. His best season: 2022-23, with 23 points in 78 games.
Where was Connor Clifton drafted?
Connor Clifton was drafted 133rd overall (round 5) by PHX in 2013.
How does Connor Clifton perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Connor Clifton has 49 games and 10 points in his career. His pace (0.20 points per game) is similar to his regular-season pace (0.19).
Which player is most similar to Connor Clifton?
Erik Cernak: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Erik Cernak's page →Is Connor Clifton a good fantasy pick?
Probably not, except in deep leagues: our projection has him at 10 points in 2026-27, or 0.13 points per game.
Does Connor Clifton have siblings?
Yes: his brother Tim (played prep hockey at Christian Brothers Academy with him).
Is Connor Clifton married?
Yes, married to Amanda Thompson (August 2021).
What is Connor Clifton's nationality?
Connor Clifton is American. Internationally: United States — silver medal at the 2013 IIHF World Under-18 Championship with the U.S. National Development Team Program.
What awards has Connor Clifton won?
Named to the ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team (four seasons) ; ECAC Hockey All-Tournament (junior season) ; NCAA East All-Frozen Four Team (junior season) ; ECAC Hockey Most Outstanding Player in Tournament (junior season).
How many championships has Connor Clifton won?
1: Silver medal at the 2013 IIHF World Under-18 Championship with the U.S. National Development Team Program.
What is Connor Clifton's nickname?
He is nicknamed “Cliffy Hockey”.
Where did Connor Clifton play before turning pro?
Quinnipiac University — began freshman season 2013–14; played four seasons with the Quinnipiac Bobcats.
How many points is Connor Clifton projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 10 points in 75 games in 2026-27 (2 to 17 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Boston Bruins teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)