{"id":90125,"date":"2025-07-25T01:39:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T01:39:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/90125\/"},"modified":"2025-07-25T01:39:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T01:39:09","slug":"metropolitan-notes-clifton-karlsson-berard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/90125\/","title":{"rendered":"Metropolitan Notes: Clifton, Karlsson, Berard"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired defenseman Connor Clifton<\/a><\/strong> and the 39th-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for defenders Conor Timmins<\/a><\/strong> and Isaac Belliveau<\/strong><\/a> ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, the biggest asset coming back to Pittsburgh appeared to be the pick. However, Clifton is working hard to make a name for himself with his new team.<\/p>\n

Speaking with reporters, including Seth Rorabaugh of Triblive.com<\/a>, Clifton noted his desire to get back to the physical play that became his calling card early in his career. Though the 30-year-old defenseman stands at just 5\u201911\u201d and 195 pounds, he\u2019s never hesitated to throw big hits or drop the gloves when needed to shift momentum. As Rorabaugh notes, Clifton has led his team in hits each of the last three seasons.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorking to get to the next level, it was always a big part of my game. I feel like I out-competed my way to the NHL with that sort of style, and that\u2019s what\u2019s going to keep me there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Through seven NHL seasons, Clifton has recorded 1,014 hits to go along with 77 points and a plus-43 rating. While Clifton admitted that his two seasons in Buffalo \u201cput my career at a standstill,\u201d he expressed excitement about the opportunity to play in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe change of scenery, I got that call that I\u2019m going to be a Pittsburgh Penguin, I was really excited for the change. I want to get back to my old self and how I play and the impact that I have on the game,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere in the Metropolitan:<\/p>\n