2025-26 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

[cabber24]

Kyle Clifford's retirement... is this actually a thing? Sorry for being the grumpy guy. Wasn't he Dubas's first client as an agent? He hardly played for the Leafs, but I suppose he was a serviceable vet for the Marlies.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I liked Clifford. Maybe easier to say this in hindsight I suppose but if the Leafs wanted a part-time goon they probably should have just kept him in the NHL. Surprising a little to see that he's only 34 years old.

 

[cabber24]

I liked Clifford. Maybe easier to say this in hindsight I suppose but if the Leafs wanted a part-time goon they probably should have just kept him in the NHL. Surprising a little to see that he's only 34 years old.

I thought his birth year was typo... 1991.

 

[cw]

I liked Clifford. Maybe easier to say this in hindsight I suppose but if the Leafs wanted a part-time goon they probably should have just kept him in the NHL. Surprising a little to see that he's only 34 years old.

I liked him as well. Maybe too little, too late but he tried to morph his game into playing better defensively and contributing more hockey. I think he made real progress that way. He sustained that effort when he went to the Marlies. That may have helped pave a path for him towards coaching/development. I did not see the Marlies as much recently but I saw a number of occasions where he still stepped up - old school - to protect his Marlies teammates.

Nice article on him:
Hockey News: 'The Epitome Of A Great Teammate': How Kyle Clifford Has Created A Lasting Impact Inside The Maple Leafs' Organization