The latest piece to Dean Lombardi’s summer-long science project appears to be done. A source close to the situation has confirmed to MayorsManor that the Kings and forward Kyle Clifford have agreed upon a new contract.
With the return of the 22-year old left wing, the Kings would have a trio of toughness, as he will be part of a roster that already includes Jordan Nolan and the recently acquired Dan Carcillo.
Clifford’s new contract will be for two years, similar to most of the other deals Lombardi has drawn up with his Restricted Free Agents this summer.
While many of the Kings players struggled coming out of the lockout, Clifford was clearly one of the better players early last season. Coach Darryl Sutter even had enough confidence to pair him with top-6 forwards in an effort to get those guys going.
Clifford finished the 48-game regular season with seven goals and 14 points, matching career highs set two years earlier during his rookie campaign of 2010-11. Obviously, projected out over a full 82-game regular season, this year’s output would have equated to new high-water marks for the Ontario, Canada native.
We’ll have a full interview with Clifford up later this morning.
How can the Kings afford him, given their salary cap issues though? We broke it all down for you in an article here.
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GOSH… IT’S ABOUT TIME!!! REALLY WORRIED THERE…
praise jesus
Details….!! Although, I doubt that this changes anything as there is no way that they could fit him in under the current cap, so a trade is still coming.
They can fit him in under the cap, when you consider the Kings will probably lose two defensemen in camp. See this article for more info:
http://mayorsmanor.com/2013/07/salary-cap-crunch-kyle-clifford-or-trevor-lewis/
Great news. I was worried also. If possible, would love to see them sign Holloway too . I think Pearson and Vey have a shot at making the roster.
They can no longer sign Holloway Deal had to be done last month, it wasn’t. He’s returned to Sweden.
As for Pearson and/or Vey, they don’t help the cap situation and the Kings would need to move two roster players to make room for them. We broke it all down here:
http://mayorsmanor.com/2013/07/salary-cap-crunch-kyle-clifford-or-trevor-lewis/
Glad to hear it. Now I can relax. Clifford is the one to watch for me for the future. I’m stoked we have him! Now if we can just get him to be a 2nd line player.
Damnit John. I was being productive, now I’m on a never-ending quest to figure out the cap hit/salary info.
Stop searching. Just read this and you’re good to go:
http://mayorsmanor.com/2013/07/salary-cap-crunch-kyle-clifford-or-trevor-lewis/
Oh i’ve read that multiple times by now, just curious to see what Clifford actually got. So who do you think goes forward wise?
+1. That article is a bit out of date now that clifford has signed and we should have all the real numbers we need to actually figure it out.
Heres to hoping your cap article gets updated.
No forwards. I think 2 defenseman are gone if Willy is good to go..
Great to see Clifford get a contract. He Nolan & Clifford fought there way to a new contracts respectively. Being in a div full of physicality, having three bullies will serve huge purpose.