Rasmus Dahlin Admits He Was Scared Of Connor Clifton

Rasmus Dahlin Admits He Was Scared Of Connor Clifton

The Buffalo Sabres made an under-the-radar signing by adding Connor Clifton this Summer. Clifton signed a three-year deal worth $10 million. A number that may have seemed high for a player that was playing sheltered minutes with Boston. However, it seems pretty safe to say that Rasmus Dahlin is happy that Clifton is now his teammate.

The Sabres number one blue liner basically admitted that he was scared of Clifton. It’s safe to say he’s thrilled that he no longer has to keep his head on swivel when playing the Bruins.

“On the ice, you see his toughness,” Dahlin said, per Buffalo Hockey Beat’s Bill Hoppe. “I remember playing him in Boston. I was scared of him. I hated to play against him.”

Clifton, 28, averaged just 17:51 minutes of ice time per game in Boston last season. Despite the low ice time number, Clifton led the Bruins and finished 10th among NHL defensemen with 208 hits last season. A pretty impressive number considering that Clifton isn’t exactly a big guy (5-foot-11, 190 pounds).

For what it’s worth, Clifton seems pretty happy that Dahlin is his new teammate too.

“He’s a fun player to watch,” Clifton said. “It’s even more fun playing next to him.”

Dahlin really established himself as a force last year. The former number one overall pick in 2018 posted a career high 73 points.

NHL Offseason Grades: Atlantic Division

Will Clifton prove to be a wise signing for the Sabres? At a minimum, Clifton will add some much-needed grit to a young Sabres team on the rise. Let us know in the comments!

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