Penguins take on Connor Clifton's contract to move up in NHL Draft

The Penguins processed a trade to move into the 2nd round of the NHL Draft by sending Conor TImmins and Isaac Belliveau to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for defenseman Connor Clifton.

Conor Timmins was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the trade deadline last season and was solid down the stretch. Timmins became a restricted free agent this 2025 offseason after logging a goal and six assists with the Penguins in 16 games from the blue line.

The Scoop on Clifton

Connor Clifton is a 5'11" 195lb defenseman entering the final year of a 3-year contract worth $3.3M in cap hit this coming season. He is entering his age 30 season and had one goal and 15 assists for the Sabres in 73 games in 2024-25 with a -6 rating.

Clifton is a hitter. He logged 208 hits and blocked 116 shots last season and mimics the likes of 2016-17 Ian Cole who won a Stanley Cup with the Penguins. He projects as a third pairing defenseman, and this seems to be moreso a salary intake more than anything.

He's an excellent penalty killer that won't contribute much into the offensive game, but in a vacuum, that could be a good thing for the Penguins. In 2022-23 with Boston and 2023-24 with Buffalo, Clifton had a 20 and 12 +/- respectively.

Clifton would have led the Penguins last season in both hits and blocked shots, meaning he immediately brings a solid level of grit to the starting lineup.

He fills in for Timmins immediately as a bottom six defenseman, but in this deal the Penguins also moved up to take Payton Kettles, a massive 6'6" d-man from the WHL.

Grade on the Trade

This looks to be a great trade for the Penguins. It gives a different tool on the defensive side and it netted the team an absolute unit to bolster the farm system.

Final Grade: A