• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MayorsManor.com

NHL blog, LA Kings hockey news and interviews from The Mayor

  • Radio Replay
  • Prospect Rankings
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / NHL / Kings / Kyle Clifford on the Impending Roster Decision

Kyle Clifford on the Impending Roster Decision

November 3, 2010 By John Hoven

For Kings GM Dean Lombardi and Coach Terry Murray ‘decision day’ wasn’t Tuesday.

For now, they remain undecided on Propositions 10 and 13.

Something should be announced soon though, as they’re going to have to vote one way or the other on Kyle Clifford (Barrie Colts / OHL) and Brayden Schenn (Brandon Wheat Kings / WHL). Neither player can be assigned to the AHL due to their age. So, at this point, it’s either back to junior hockey or keep them with the big club.

To date, Clifford has played seven games, one fewer than Schenn. Once they take the ice for a 10th game, the first year of their entry-level contracts will have been used. That’s a tough pill to swallow in the salary cap era. Unless a young player can contribute in a big way, most teams would prefer not to use up that first year so early on in a player’s career.

While on the surface, yesterday’s roster move assigning Andrei Loktionov to Manchester (AHL) may have seemed like good news for the two younger players mentioned above, not so fast. That was just something designed to make room for the returning Scott Parse. Because Loktionov is eligible to go back-and-forth between the NHL and AHL, if Schenn or Clifford are returned to juniors, he could possibly be recalled. Regardless, that’s something down the road a bit. First things first.

Let’s check in with Clifford and see where his head is at as the impending decision on his future draws nearer…

MM:  We’re down to just a couple of games left.  Are you getting nervous about what the decision may be?

KC:  I’m kinda taking it one day at a time, not really thinking about it too much.  I’m just trying to go out and play and have fun.  For me and Schenner this is an experience…and it’s been pretty special to us.  We’d definitely like to continue it for the rest of the season.

Does the shared experience help bond you guys a little bit or is too much of a competition at this point?

We don’t really talk about it too much.  We don’t let it get to our heads.  We’re just trying to enjoy what we have right now and then hope for the best.

Are you keeping an eye on what’s going on back in Barrie at all or are you completely focused on what’s happening here in LA?

I’ve kinda looked at their stats a little bit here and there.  Things aren’t looking too great right now [MM note: they have a 3-10-1 record after the first 14 games, last place in the entire OHL].  But, I think they’ll be able to turn it around.  I still have a few friends back in Barrie.  So, obviously, they’re keeping me updated on what’s going on back there.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

There are no plans to bill tomorrow’s Tampa Bay vs. L.A. game as ‘Stephen Stamkos vs. Kyle Clifford’ night…not even close.  That said, it’s worth noting that although both have come through the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) over the last few years, they actually only played each other once there.

On October 12, 2007 – just nine games into Clifford’s rookie season and the beginning of what would turn out to be Stamkos’ final year in the ‘O’ – Barrie visited Sarnia.  The Colts lost 4-2.  Both players had an assist that night.

When the two meet again on Thursday at Staples Center far more eyes will be following the play of Stamkos than paying attention to what Clifford does.  However, there will be at least two very interested observers keeping close tabs on the later – Lombardi and Murray.

A decision is looming in the days ahead for them.  Pretty soon somebody is gong to have to update Clifford on what’s going on out here with the Kings and their roster moving forward.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor

RELATED ARTICLES:

Coach Murray on The Clifford / Schenn Decision (audio)

Brayden Schenn on the Impending Roster Decision

Warming up for the World Juniors w/ Kyle Clifford – offering his take on the Kings prospects

LA-PHX Rookie Game Preview w/ Kyle Clifford – updates from training camp

Comments From the Kids – Muzzin and Clifford
.

Filed Under: Kings, Lightning, Murray, OHL Tagged With: Clifford, Dean Lombardi, Murray, OHL, Stamkos

About John Hoven

John Hoven is a member of the of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and co-hosts Kings of the Podcast. He is also the founder and editor of MayorsManor.com, which has been named Best Sports Blog in Los Angeles by LA Weekly and Hockey Blog of the Year by Yahoo Sports. Click "ABOUT OUR TEAM" above for a full bio.

Primary Sidebar

Kings Of The Podcast

Kings Of The Podcast: S2, E5 – Preview and Predictions for 31 NHL Teams

With the first puck drop of what should be a wild ride of a season now upon us, Kings Of The Podcast returns with a jam packed show. This episode is rather simple to tee up… We have a comment (usually in the form of a prediction or key question) for each of the league’s […]

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • Game 2: Kings v Wild – Todd McLellan Postgame Quotes
  • Game 2: Kings v Wild – Mikey Anderson Postgame Quotes
  • Game 2: Kings v Wild – Adrian Kempe Postgame Quotes
  • FIRST GOAL CONTEST: Kings vs Wild – January 16
  • Reign Game Day: Projected Lineup and Pregame Thoughts from Wrobo
  • NHL RADIO REPLAY: Hoven Talks LA Kings, Byfield, Walker, Berube
  • January 16 – LA Kings Projected Lines and D Pairings for Game 2
  • January 15 – LA Kings Friday Practice Lines and D Pairings
  • LA Kings to Wear Five Different Jerseys This Season – Full Schedule
  • Game 1: Kings v Wild – Anze Kopitar Postgame Quotes

Tweets by mayorNHL

Footer

Archives

Tags

AHL Bernier Blackhawks Brown camp Carter Clifford coach comments Doughty draft Ducks Greene hockey interview Kings Kopitar Lombardi Los Angeles Manchester Mayor MayorsManor Mitchell Monarchs Murray NHL Ontario Penner Playoffs Prospect Quick quote Radio Reign Richards Sharks Stanley Cup Stoll Sutter Toffoli trade video WCB West Coast Bias Williams

MayorsManor

  • About Our Team
  • Contact Us
  • Store

© 2021 MayorsManor.com