Getting back to the development camp, which wraps up this morning, one of the more intriguing players has been Kyle Clifford. It’s easy to see, when watching him among his peers, why Clifford might have an outside chance of making the Kings’ roster, sooner rather than later. At 6-foot-2, 208 pounds, he looks strong and confident on the ice, and and one point he was trading jabs with defenseman Andrew Campbell in front of the net. A tough guy with some scoring touch, Clifford would seem to have a versatile game, but it’s tough to predict exactly which role he would fill with the Kings. Here’s what he said about his recent development…
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Question: You were mixing it up with Campbell a little bit. Trying to make a little statement maybe?
CLIFFORD: “Everybody is coming in with a little excitement. We were kind of just horsing around a little bit, a couple hacks here and there, nothing that escalated into any fisticuffs or anything like that.”
Question: You imposed some people here at training camp last year. What are you trying to do now, to build on that?
CLIFFORD: “Just continue what I’ve shown so far. Obviously I didn’t make it last season, so there are things I need to work on. This offseason, I’m going to focus on those things and just try to improve.”
Question: Have you set it as a realistic goal to make the Kings this year?
CLIFFORD: “I think it’s everyone’s goal, here, to make the team. It’s every kid’s dream to play in the NHL, so why not now?”
Question: Have you thought about how your game might translate to the NHL level? You’re known as a physical player, but you also have a scoring touch? Can you be that hybrid in the NHL?
CLIFFORD: “I think my role will change when I do make the jump one day. I’m just going to start by plugging away, like I did in junior. I scored one goal in my first year in junior, so I just kept building on everything I could in the last three years, and then I was fortunate enough to add to my game every year and take it one step at a time.”
Question: You got to play a bit in Manchester and experience the playoffs. Was that a good experience for you?
CLIFFORD: “Yeah, definitely. You’ve got to fight for every inch, especially at that high level. It was a great group of guys, and hats off to them. They really showed well during their whole playoff run there. They were kind of the underdogs for most of it, and I felt like we put a great effort in against the Hershey Bears. It was a little disappointing, the way it ended, but I thought we really pulled through.”
Question: And it seemed like you had a pretty high-profile role, playing on the top line a bit…
CLIFFORD: “I was fortunate enough to play with a couple skill guys. I just stuck to my game and tried to mix it up a little bit, throwing some checks and trying to make a little bit of room for them.”
Here is our next Simmonds on the energy line, I can see it now Clifford, Richardson, Simmonds, when Zeus is done.
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I liked this kid last training camp and pre-season. I think if he continues to improve his game, he could be very beneficial to this team in the near future. Clune, Clifford, Cliche, could make a very good 4th line!
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mrk Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 2:29 pm
@Joelhova,
Triple C’s. I like the sound of that
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Clifford-Schenn-Brown line!
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Daniel Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 2:09 pm
@Peter32, I agree, that’s our future 2nd or 3rd line. Depends on how Schenn develops.
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Bah!!
We don’t want a stinkin Clifford interview! We want a Kovy or DL interview!!
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Anonymous Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:36 am
@Matt Fig, Give Rich a break (yes, I know you were being lighthearted in your comment–I’m just teasing here too). The poor man is waiting, just as we are, for word from on high. We keep refreshing every 2 minutes looking for something new. Rich is delivering. A Clifford interview sure beats another post which reads—DL still in office. Still not returning calls or texts. Still on the damned phone, etc.
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Matt Fig Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 11:43 am
hahaha
you guys need to learn sarcasm man! I was just giving Rich a hard time, i’m sure 85% of Kings fan feel that way right now.
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Big Joe Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:37 am
@Matt Fig, Settle down and be nice….it’s all good,present and future!! DL is doing a fine job.
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I love this kid. My favorite youngster. I’m confident he will be with the big boys this season. Good luck son.
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love this kid…
reminds me of the Dave Taylor, John Tonelli type player. Seriously did Tonelli ever lose a battle in the corner?
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There’s a development camp going on???
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I would rather get 4 or 5 great players then one
expensive kovi
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Another great kid. Seems we can say that with all these guys. Have to really like the way he answered the questions. I look forward to watching him play.
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Is DL working on another ‘can’t miss’ Halpern Modin deal?
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DougS Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 11:23 am
@TURK20dhhs,
Maybe. Maybe not.
But based on the available evidence, I don’t think that his pursuit of Kovalchuk is over yet. Kovalchuk hasn’t signed with anybody else, and silence just means that nobody is commenting on what’s going on.
If negotiations were truly over, people would be free to talk.
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For the type of player he is,
the Kid’s a gem.
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Big Joe Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 11:54 am
@Sergei Prozacutov, I agree….could have a role on a numerber of different lines. And he is a World Junior Camp invitee this year as well!
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“Fisticuffs.”
That classic hockey-esque word just doesn’t get used enough any more.
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Clifford is one of the more intriguing prospects the Kings have. All indications are is that this guy is going to be a solid NHL player. Could Schenn, Moller, and Clifford all make the team? I love the idea of sticking with the young guys!
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Nothing against Clifford, but after reading this interview and the others I am that much more impressed by Thomas Hickey.
Can Hickey’s interview go into some King’s prospects hall of fame for future kids to reference when asked a question about themselves ?
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quisp Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 1:50 pm
@typicaljs,
The thing about Hickey is, this is a kid who is used to fielding calls from the Prime f-ing Minister of Canada when a big game is on the line. Clifford is a leader, too, I think. But Hickey is a leader with lots of experience as a leader. That’s what happens when you’re the captain of Team Canada. Supposedly, they take hockey seriously up there.
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I love his attitude.
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The great thing about this kid, he was recognized as one of the best defensive forwards in the OHL. You get size, grit and a kid who is defensively responsible. He might not be a 2nd line prospect right now, but there is no reason why he shouldn’t be a 3rd line starter, and grow into a 2nd or 1st line player.
Clifford will become a fan favorite very quickly when he is playing with the Kings this season. He was sent back for a little more polish after almost making the Kings out of training camp last year. Kyle, don’t do anything too risky this summer, we are looking forward to seeing you play in the NHL this upcoming season.
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Its nice to hear we got grit coming up through the system. Cant wait to boo kovi
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