Kyle Clifford is back with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team has acquired the forward from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for future considerations. Both teams have confirmed the trade on social media. Clifford, who cleared waivers earlier today is heading back to a team he knows well.
The reason the Leafs didn’t claim him from waivers is that it would have forced the Leafs to keep him on the roster if they claimed him. Trading allows him to go to the Marlies, should the organization so choose. So too, the future considerations in the deal won’t be anything of significance and it was worth it so the Leafs would have the flexibility needed.
For the Blues, it gives them salary cap flexibility.
Clifford moves to the Leafs on loan to the AHL for the time being.
The forward played 16 games with the Maple Leafs in 2019-20 before signing with the Blues in free agency the following offseason. He signed a two-year deal with the Blues as the Leafs were looking to change the makeup of their depth. It appears the team has realized they’d like his grit and on-ice physicality back in their lineup. He won’t be expected to produce offensive numbers, but he could be a very useful 4th liner.
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