Is there anyone who likes going down memory lane in terms of bringing back former players more than Boston general manager Don Sweeney? Last summer, it was center Sean Kuraly, and this summer it is defenseman Connor Clifton, who was signed to a two-year deal with an AAV of $2.25 million. He's thrilled to be back in Boston.
“It was a huge honor for me to start my career here, play a bunch of years,'' said Clifton. "The older I get, the more I appreciate playing in the NHL and living this life – I am extremely lucky and honored. It is really exciting for me and my family to be back in Boston. I can’t wait to hit the ice.”
After five seasons in Boston, Clifton left in free agency for two years with the Buffalo Sabres and one with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 232 games in his first stint with the Black and Gold, he had 10 goals and 33 assists.
Bruins reportedly are losing player development coordinator
Mark Divver of New England Hockey Journal and NHL.com reported on Monday that the Bruins are losing Player Development Coordinator Ben Smith, who is reportedly joining Gren Brown's coaching staff at Boston College. According to Divver, Smith did some on-ice work for the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League (AHL) while also scouting and working with Black and Gold draft picks.
Tage Thompson speaks on Kevyn Adams' firing
Midway through December, the Sabres were heading down a road that was going to end without a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, they fired GM Kevyn Adams, and all of a sudden, they went on a tear to win the Atlantic Division. They bounced the Bruins in the first round of the playoffs in six games before being dispatched by the Montreal Canadiens in seven games in the Eastern Conference Semifinal.
Since being fired, Adams was recently hired by the Bruins as a senior advisor to Sweeney, which certainly raised some eyebrows. Anyway, Buffalo star Tage Thompson discussed Adams' firing and how it had nothing to do with the turnaround they had.
“I think we were in such a dark hole where anytime your coach or your GMs are on the chopping block, the guys in the room have a sense of responsibility,” Thompson said. “We’re ultimately the ones that are putting them in that position. So there is a sense in that room that it was urgent, it had to be fixed.
“It’s unfortunate that Kevyn Adams had to leave, but I don’t think it had anything to do with the run.''
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