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Boston Bruins: 7 players who won’t return next season

By Sam Minton

Jun 9, 2021; Uniondale, New York, USA; New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz talks to Boston Bruins center Brad Marchand (63) after the Islanders defeated the Bruins in game six of the third round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2021; Uniondale, New York, USA; New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz talks to Boston Bruins center Brad Marchand (63) after the Islanders defeated the Bruins in game six of the third round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Bruins defenseman Connor Clifton (75) (Catalina Fragoso-USA TODAY Sports) /

7 Boston Bruins who won’t return next season – Connor Clifton

While Boston also has a decent amount of free agents that they have to worry about, they also have the expansion draft to worry about. The Seattle Kraken will be looking to match the Vegas Golden Knights when it comes to drafting an expansion team.

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One player that seems to be there for the taking is Connor Clifton. While he struggled in 2021, he would be a quality piece to an expansion team’s blueline.

Clifton only had three goals and five assists this season. He struggled to stay on the ice and was also outpaced by other younger defensemen.

While Boston still needs to improve in this area of the game, the Bruins have some quality young players on the blue line such as Jakub Zboril, Urho Vaakanainen, and Jack Ahcan. These players have the ability to step up into Clifton’s role.

Boston won’t feel it necessary to protect Clifton since they have much more important players to keep on the roster and they have the reinforcements. It makes perfect sense for Seattle to select him.

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