The Toronto Maple Leafs have become a different team, even without one practice with the addition two new players.
As you received the update regarding the Toronto Maple Leafs acquiring backup goaltender Jack Campbell and forward Kyle Clifford, you were probably more excited about seeing Campbell, more so than Clifford.
And maybe, questioning why Clifford was involved in the trade too, but then understanding why.
Clifford has been with the Kings since he was drafted by them in 2009 going 35th overall. Since then Clifford has grown into a player with character, heart, physicality and two Stanley Cup rings.
It’s funny because Kyle Dubas has wanted acquire Clifford for a while — apparently two years.
Familiarity isn’t the right word; let’s try best friends.
Yup, you read that right — during Clifford’s first media scrum with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he said that Dubas is like a best friend to him.
The 29-year-old grew up an hour and a half away from Toronto, “I got a real love for this team. It’s a childhood dream to be able to put that jersey on,” says Clifford (via Leafs YouTube channel).
All of this is great, but there’s more than just friendship, fandom, character and grit that comes along with the Ayr, Ontario native.
The fourth line analytic god we like to call, Kyle Clifford.
As he is more of a tough guy (with three fights, just as many as the Leafs team) than a goal scorer, he has 14 points in 53 games this season.
Clifford also has only one season where he’s had under a 50% corsi rating — that was in his rookie season. And if he continues his play with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he could finish with a new career high in points too.
But, maybe not according to the forward, “they didn’t bring me into outpace Auston Matthews in goals,” said Clifford (via Leafs YouTube channel) “I know what I am, I know who I am and I know there are a lot of skilled guys in here, a lot of guys who can play hard too, so I definitely want to add that element.”
You never know though, he could pass his career high in points, which he’s eight away from.
The main aspect he brings is toughness, and everyone knows it. He fights, he’s not afraid to get into the faces of other opponents and he can be physical.
Adding Campbell was good for the goaltending, but I think a big part of that trade was acquiring Clifford too.
And who knows, maybe he can show a few players a thing or two on hitting, and maybe get some players to become more physical as well.