According to Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton (illness) will remain out of the lineup on Friday evening when they face the Nashville Predators. The 29-year-old has missed the previous two games and has not recovered from his illness. Hamilton noted that Clifton has lost a lot of weight while battling the illness. Over his previous five games, Clifton has tallied one helper with 15 hits, five blocks, and a -1 rating. While sidelined, Jacob Bryson has entered the starting lineup and is expected to remain in that role on Friday evening. While Clifton has only tallied eight helpers (no goals) across 46 contests this season, the former fifth-round selection has been valuable in deeper leagues that score hits and blocks, as he has logged 134 hits and 69 blocks over this span.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton has received a two-game suspension for his actions in Friday's 5-4 loss to New Jersey. The former Bruin was handed a match penalty in the first period for a hit to the head of Devils star Nico Hischier. Clifton, who signed a three-year deal as a free agent with the Sabres in the offseason, will be eligible to return to action on Nov. 3 versus Philadelphia. The 28-year-old has been skating on the third defensive pairing with Erik Johnson. Clifton's debut campaign in Buffalo hasn't gone too well, with him having a minus-six rating through eight outings and only one point. Jacob Bryson is set to enter the lineup as Clifton's replacement.
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