KYLE CLIFFORD
This season: 76 games, 7 goals, 7 assists, 141 penalty minutes, 9:30 average ice time.
The good: Clifford showed up to training camp in outstanding shape. He made the roster after sweating out final cuts. He stayed in the NHL rather than return to junior. He transitioned from a fourth-line winger to a third-line winger (and sometimes more). He scored three goals in six playoff games. Notice a trend here? The longer the season went, the better things went for Clifford. He proved to be a tireless worker, a respected teammate and a good student of the game, and made more of an impact in his rookie season than most team followers believed possible. His willingness to drop the gloves only enhanced an already strong reputation.
The bad: Clifford performed his role very well. His biggest challenge was staying on the ice. Clifford’s all-out, flailing-fist fighting style led him to get caught flush in two late-season fights, one of which sidelined him for two games. Going forward, Clifford will have to learn to defend himself a bit better. His ability shows him to be more than a fourth-line grinder, and the Kings certainly don’t want his seasons (or career) shortened by these types of injuries. Clifford also went through a bit of a midseason dip, but that’s very easy to understand for a young rookie.
Going forward: How high is Clifford’s ceiling? Is he a third-line player? A 20-goal scorer? He’s still a work in progress. Clifford was one of the Kings’ top scoring threats in the playoffs, and that’s not a role he should have to fill. His secondary scoring should be a bonus, not a requirement. Clifford’s immediate challenge will be to avoid the type of downturn that seemed to follow Wayne Simmonds this season. If Clifford keeps his feet moving and keeps hitting opponents, his game will be just fine.
I dont often buy player customized jerseys…took me 16 years to get my first one, but next season i am getting a Clifford jersey. i love this kid.
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Kopi Bryant Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 2:52 pm
@Sebastian, I second that, was thiking of Doughty but this kid is brings it every game. If only Doughty had his work ethic.
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Brownkingsfan Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@Kopi Bryant, Couldn’t agree more! DD has god-given talent…if he had Cliffy’s work ethic he’d have the Norris sitting on his mantle!
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Mychelle Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 4:04 pm
@Sebastian, I already bought his jersey this year. And he was awesome about it when he signed it for me…
bit shy but hes amazing! you wont be disappointed
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USHA#17 Reply:
May 3rd, 2011 at 11:37 am
@Sebastian,
Clifford turned out to be this seasons Simmonds.
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Quite a few gave him an A, couldnt disagree more. He was like a alot of 20 year olds, inconsistent, and still learning. He gets props for playing well in the playoffs, and believe me thats a plus going forward in his career, but he isnt even close to being fully developed…thats great news for all of us !
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Bob Bobson Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 2:29 pm
@puck73, I thought about doing the same thing. I guess you could argue he deserves the A based on expectations…
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HawKings Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 2:55 pm
@Bob Bobson, That is where I came in on this, so you can say I was “grading on a curve.” It would be difficult to find someone who did not think that, at this age, Clifford exceeded all expectations.
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Bob Bobson Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 3:18 pm
@HawKings, Agreed, he really did do much better than anyone would have predicted before the season started. I gave him a B and took expectations out of it.
dahack11 Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@puck73, B+
I’m not saying he was “B+” player overall. My scoring was based on, “did he do HIS job?” And I think he did that very well.
I think, if he fills out his NHL talent, he should be a VERY solid & VERY responsible (at both ends of the ice) 3rd line player averaging 15+ goals per season.
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Token Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 3:28 pm
@puck73, You can’t judge this kind of thing on merit.
It doesn’t matter if by Hoyle it’s a miracle, the point is, I felt the touch of god.
It was a miracle, and I want you to acknowledge it!
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puck73 Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 3:35 pm
@Token, Hey dude, what I said was, he is not even close yet to where he will eventually be. Again, most players dont come into their own until they are between 24 and 27. His upside will get even better. I was not ripping on the kid at all, I was just pointing out that he is going to get even better.
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Token Reply:
May 3rd, 2011 at 6:29 am
@puck73, Sorry man, @u4yk got it. It was a quote from Pulp Fiction.
Just a funny.
u4yk Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:32 pm
@Token, sewer rat may taste like pumpkin pie, but… You know…
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Token Reply:
May 3rd, 2011 at 6:36 am
@u4yk, Right On!
Samuel L Jacksons demeanor just about sums up my excitement about Cliffy.
He came in as the “tyranny of evil men” but he’s trying real hard to be the “shepherd”.
Don’t care about his grade on a scale or a curve, he is just exciting to watch and support.
Gary Livingston Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 3:54 pm
@puck73, Giving him an A doesn’t mean he has nothing more to reach for or that he lived up to what he will be in five years.
It means he lived up to his potential for RIGHT NOW.
For what experience he has, his age, and his current skillset I believe he deserves an A because he lived up to his current abilities and never let down from them.
Furthermore, he became a game changer when someone needed to be. That’s going beyond what was expected of him.
He doesn’t deserve a lesser grade because he will be better in a few years and didn’t live up to THAT expectation. Something he can’t possibly be at this point due to the lack of experience etc.
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puddle Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 4:23 pm
@Gary Livingston, ^This
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Laura Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 4:25 pm
@Gary Livingston, Totally agree with you!!!!! Love this kid!!!!
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neil Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 6:45 pm
@Laura, I gave a C plus….A for the Play offs…..but there was a stretch of games where he didnt do anything..No scoring or anything really..If we grade on hustle..then Brown,Richardson and Lewis all will get A’s.If we grade on expectations then A would be fine but I didnt grade him on that.If he doenst score more in the future then he really is just a 3rd or 4th liner imo. This last year he was above avg. but not enough scoring and if Johnson gets bad grades for being a minus so should Cliffy.
KingzzFan Reply:
May 3rd, 2011 at 1:54 pm
@Laura,
@neil, He came is as a rookie to fill a 4th line roll. pressure the puck and bang some bodies. That was his job and not much else. When given the opportunity to play in 3rd and 2nd line rolls he showed he did have the speed and touch to be a scoring threat. You said there were stretches that he didn’t do anything. As a third line winger your responsibility is not to score goals but play more of a defensive game and wear down the other players, which he did. Not to mention that he was willing to drop the gloves a few times during those stretches. So I did give him an A because he was a Rookie, coming into a 4th line roll and there were no expectations except to do what was asked of him. So if I’m a teacher and my student is turning in all his homework and getting decent test scores, he’s a B -B+ student. But with all the extra credit, Fighting, Scoring, blocking shots and his growth and performance towards the end of the season and Playoffs… That’s an A if I ever saw one. Next year he graduates into another category and his expectations will change, but this year was a solid A…
KC23 Reply:
May 3rd, 2011 at 2:47 am
@puck73, You can bet none of those A marks were mine. Love the kid mind you, but a long ways away from an A still.
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I voted A based off his role, expectations and playoff performance. if it were regular season only I would say B.
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Brownkingsfan Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 2:53 pm
@Puckn-A, As a rookie this guy came in and dropped his gloves against guys like Parros. Initially that’s what I loved about him, he’s fearless! As the season progressed, he grew as a hockey player. I see him as more an offensive threat than an enforcer. He has as much, maybe more work ethic than anyone on the Kings, (save Brown, Greene, and a couple others). I appreciate that his skills developed right in front of us. That’s why I gave him an A!
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Straight A for Awesome!! cheesy for sure, but the boy was a hockey-god send!
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A
He played his ass off, played within himself and stood up for teammates and did Westgarths job too.
In the playoffs he really stepped up and his line was the best on the ice for all but game 1.
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LBlocal Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 5:15 pm
^^^ Times Two. A solid ‘A’ for the Big Red Dog!
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What Clifford brought to the team this year, is what Simmonds brought the prior two years. If he continues to bring the game, then his potential is limitless. Let’s just hope he doesn’t slump like Simmonds did this year. I love this guy.
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DesertKing Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 2:32 pm
@Mike J.,
Sorry, didn’t mean to copy you! Your post came up right when mine came up! At least you know someone completely agrees with you
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This year’s version of last year’s Simmonds. He was everywhere and doing everything. Lets just hope he continues to improve and doesn’t experience a sophomore slump next season.
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I gave Clifford an A
He exceeded all expectations this year. I don’t know how much more you coul ask of the guy. Come playoff time, he was one of our best players and top scorers..enough said!
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Marty's Knuckles Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 2:42 pm
@nykingfan,
Couldn’t agree more. The only down side of his game is blocking hay-makers with his face.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 2:42 pm
@nykingfan, agree! Im not sure how anyone can give him anything less.
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Beast!
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Hands down my favorite rookie ever! Keep it up Cliffy!
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Puckn-A Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 4:24 pm
@Brownkingsfan, my second, Luc will always be #1 to me.
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For the 9 mins a night he was playing, I thought he did tremendously well. Lets hope he keeps pushing it in the offseason and maybe even encourages some of the veterans.
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Didnt expect much and now one of my favorite players. Easy A. I too may be looking at a Cliff jersey next year
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There is no reason why Cliffy does not get 20 goals next season. He has all the tools, a nose for the net & the right work ethic. I hope he picks and chooses his fights wisely & above all, remembers to keep those hands up & elbows in when he does fight!!!
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Stuart Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 3:19 pm
@King Alex, concur! Seeing how well he was at crashing the net in the playoffs and knowing what it takes to cash in those opportunity.
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King Alex Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 3:31 pm
@Stuart, Cliffy just seems to know how to be in the right place at the right time, especially during the playoffs. I just wish more of our team would crash the net like this kid does. If our team crash the net more, scoring will definatley go up.
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Stuart Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 3:41 pm
@King Alex, that will come with team toughness and playoff experience! At least I hope
Sometimes I think our guys don’t want to risk the injury by going to those “hard” places.
King Alex Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 4:56 pm
@Stuart, I hope too. Without crashing the net (anyone on the ice at the time)or setting up in front of it (I am hoping Penner will fill this role when he is back with Kopi & Willie) it will be a difficult task to move forward. I hope the Kings will still have that bitter playoff taste in their mouth when they return to camp. I want the rest of the league to fear the Kings!!! We need to impose OUR will on other teams.
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The grade here is totally unimportant….. just the nickname “the red dog”.
Cool that.
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39scars Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 3:38 pm
@number 6, “McFlurry”
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I am hoping that Clifford doesn’t turn into this year’s Wayne Simmonds – an overhyped overachiever who doesn’t really have the skill level or capabilities that everyone here badly wants him to have. I like him, want him on the team, etc., but I have a hard time getting too excited about anyone who is probably never going to have more than 35-40 points (if that) in his best years. He is tough and fun to watch, but he is not a make it or break it player in my opinion.
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King Alex Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 3:35 pm
@rick, I for one do not think Cliffy is the person to build your team around. I do believe Cliffy and players like him are a very important pieces to any team that wants to make a serious playoff run. Players that know their role and fully exceed expectations are a bonus to any team.
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Stuart Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 3:43 pm
@King Alex, exactly, can anyone say Kocur, LaPointe, McCarty, or those two other dudes in DET… their names escape me but one got his face broken by C lemiux and the other was always on the line with him.
Anyway, my point is role players with benefits! Every SC team has them.
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Stuart Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 3:44 pm
@Stuart, Draper is the one and his linemate that would always be there too… I’ll look it up and be back to you.
Stuart Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 3:45 pm
@Stuart, Maltby. Sorry, I had to find his name or it would bug me all night!
King Alex Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 4:50 pm
@Stuart, Kudos on the names & homwework you did! You are exactly right. Lets hope this is just the beginning of a beautiful productive relationship Cliffy has with the Kings for sometime to come.
Token Reply:
May 3rd, 2011 at 6:50 am
@King Alex, Didn’t we build this 4 ring circus around a player just like that?
Brown had a whopping 5 points his first season and he ain’t doing bad right now.
TM said it before, this kid projects to second line. Let’s hope he gets there and we will be mighty fine.
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Bkrs-Bud Reply:
May 3rd, 2011 at 1:14 am
@rick, you are right.
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Did he have a good, solid, regular season? Yes. So I would grade him a B.
Did he have a good, solid, postseason? No, he was outstanding. Playoffs are what separate the men from the boys and a 20yr old kid doing the work he did will only help him down the road. I gave him an A based on his regular season success and postseason impact.
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dolly Reply:
May 3rd, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@David, Agreed.
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and may he never room with dewey and/or simmer….
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For a 19 year old he was fantastic. I love his presence. He brings an enthusiasm and a willingness to face an situation. He’s going to be a huge boon to this team as he grows and learns how to maximize his talents.
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I would have given him a A+ if I could. Clifford was outstanding for such a young rookie. Given he’s on the West Coast also its odd but many networks, announcers and East Teams spoke about him often on TV and in print media.
He is going to be a keeper long term, LA lock him up to a long, large contract.
Well done Kyle, great job.
Harty
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KYLE Clifford is a part, i would love 4 of them 1 on every line. The beast of burden sure came a long way. Simmonds growth in 3 rd year a bad omen, he’s not what the KINGS thought he was, i really think SIMMONDS has played his last game, i don’t think he’ll even be in the nhl in 2 years, that said can’t wait for SCHENN to score 20 next year.
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A for @ss Kicker, go cliffy!!
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Kyle Clifford quickly became my favorite player. We have needed a bully who can score for quite a while. Experience will only make him better all around. I’m with Sebastian and just might buy that jersey for next season!
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I want him to keep doing what he’s doing. I say a Dominant second line scorer in his future, say 20-25 goals per season. One thing Has to change for that to occur, No More Fighting!!! leave that to westgarth, i want Cliffy to score goals
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puddle Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 4:36 pm
@Roma, I want him to keep fighting, but only guys who are in his weight class. Taking on the heavyweights will catch up to him at some point, worse than it already has.
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i gave Clifford a B+. the only thing that kept him from an A was that he took some time to develop his game so the first half he didn’t provide much offensively.
Clifford played so well late in the season and in the playoffs and he is this team’s future 3rd line LW for years to come. i think he can score 10-15 goals as early as next year if he’s consistently on the 3rd line with a decent center (Schenn?)
i think a Clifford-Schenn-Simmonds line would be perfect for the next 10 years.
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For a guy who I was unsure about going into the season, he definately made a good first impression. I was actually pulling for Clune to start, and saw him spending a year in Manchester. Good thing he made the choice easy to except, or I would have spent the entire season asking to bring Clune up. B, only because he got his bell rung a couple of times.
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people have fallen in love, and there were some great signs at the end, but for the most part he was overmatched during the season and had long stretches of “yawn.” — Simmonds had a similar rookie campaign, but was black, so stood out more (not racist, just fact.) This was Simmonds third year, so I don’t think it’s fair to say that Clifford has to watch out for a Simmonds like slide, because Simmonds second year was WAY better than his first. There were ten better rookie forwards than Clifford in the NHL this year, so it’s not like this kid was the second coming of Christ… he just seemed endearing because he worked harder than most.
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neil Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 6:52 pm
@Marc Nathan, even scoring alot in the playoffs..he was a minus 2…..in the regular season he only scored 14 points and was a minus 10(one of the worst of any forwards)So I dont see how he gets anything higher then a C plus…Now if we are grading on hustle and potential and how young he is….that is a different grade.(A)
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Harty Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 7:38 pm
@neil, I rspect both your comments, my only commentary back is if half this team had his heart and desire we would still be in the playoffs. See it takes a special type of person to win stanley cups, keep your flashes in the pan type players, bottom line…..Clifford along with additional cast and perhaps more heart type players will win the Kings thier first stanley cup.
I do respect your comments and that’s fair.
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neil Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:14 pm
@Harty, Hustle…A Desire….A Potential….A. My grade of C plus was based only on his play.If we had a team of Clifford’s…we would not win a championship.So if we gave A’s to every player who had heart and desire…we would not be a A team unless they could bring more to the table.As a third liner…yes he is good..but right now he is not there YET.If he continues to grow then yes he will be a A player with a A heart. The trouble with young players is you never know when they are going to peak….
He was right on the cusp of the B+ and the A. I was actually expecting a little more out of him. Not much more though. That will come with a little more experience.
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Blame Murray for Simmonds, he killed this kids progress. At least with Clifford playing on the 3rd or 4th line is not going to damage his confidence.
Give Clifford a few years to show off his wrist shot, and if the Kings extend Simmonds so long as Terry Murray isn’t his coach maybe Simmer will return to being the player he has shown flashes of being.
Terry Murray is a career killer and his mind games with his players are totally out of hand.
Signed Alex Frolov.
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Clifford is a spawn of satan….
Really he plays like he’s possessed….
But had to give him a B for a bad hair cut..
Interesting Schenn got sent back to juniors
and Cliffy made the team…
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RAVENS Reply:
May 3rd, 2011 at 2:51 pm
This kid is going to supply us with years of fun bliogging here. I’m already loving the comments like Spawn of Satan. These are my kind of people. GKGo
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WILDMAN.
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I was the only one here who thought he should go back to jr for the year. I was wrong. He has proved that he not only has the will to play in the NHL, but the understanding of when to do certain things. A- and the minus is for scaring the crap out of me at teh end of the regular season.
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SO PROUD of cliffy, i really am, you guys didnt have to tell me about him being a hard-worker cuz it was evident in whavtever he did and he filled his role very well, he can only get better from here
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This guy is no “A” player. “flailing fists and needs to learn to protect himself” is an understatement. Nonetheless, he has uncertain amount of upside potential. He needs to concentrate on his game and less on his fighting.
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Wanted to give him an A for effort. Gave him a B. As a fan, even though he is young and does make mistakes, I HIGHLY enjoyed watching him bring passion and intensity to the ice, and he always gave us something to cheer about.
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Awesome new talent for the kings future. Way to go on the season.
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Kyle Clifford has X factor potential . Really excited we have a player like him. Great role player. I give him grade B.
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I love this guy, he plays extremely hard. I’m very shocked he got the worst of a few fights at the end of the year, i was trumpeting his praises to my girlfriend and then he got beat up. Anyway, i think that his reputation as a tough guy might make people miss the fact that this guy has awesome hockey skills. This guy can really play the game, he’s a very smart player and doesnt usually get outworked. He’s going to surprise a few people next season, he was part of that amazingly effective ‘energy’ line, they were fun to watch.
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Buy the Jersey, wear it proud. This kid has heart. He will be around for a long time and will make all Kings fans happy. He is a hard worker and gives it his all. He has proved he got what it takes and is willing to learn and grow. I’m on my second jersey. Love Ya Cowboy.
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Man there’s no quit in the kid . I’m glad he’s a King and I hope remains a King for a long time .
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A- Effort, ability to stand up for his teammates when Sampson wasnt on the ice or in the game, and his ability to play well with others, for he got bounced around more then a flubber ball on a handball court.
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He gets an ‘A’ for that awesome bedhead hairdo alone
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If this guy can pick up where he left off in the play-offs and keep it going, would it be possible to see him bring his scoring touch up to a young Tkachuck level. I would like to see him develope his offense and leave the enforcer stuff to “Westy” myself.
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