The Bruins didn’t take long to spend the extra cap room they created by moving backup goalie Joonas Korpisalo to the New York Rangers. Once that $3 million opened up, general manager Don Sweeney used a chunk of it to bring back Connor Clifton on a two-year deal with an AAV of $2.25 million.
It’s a move that points to Boston filling out the right side of its blue line, especially after letting Andrew Peeke reach free agency. Clifton projects as a third-pairing right shot, and the Bruins also are bringing back Jordan Harris. The bigger question now is whether this is just the first step for a defense group that still looks like it needs more.
Clifton didn’t try to dress up the decision when he met with the media, telling Conor Ryan of the Boston Globe: “Pretty easy decision to come back and wear the Bruins sweater.”
- Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) July 1, 2026
That kind of blunt answer fits a player who was well liked in Boston. Bruins fans should be comfortable with the reunion as long as there’s another move coming on defense. If this ends up being the main addition on the right side, the reaction could turn quickly.
Clifton originally left in free agency after the 2022-23 season, signing with the Buffalo Sabres before later being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. For the Bruins, this is a familiar player coming back into a role they already know well, which makes the deal easier to understand.
There’s also a little extra wrinkle here: Kevyn Adams joined the Bruins last week as an assistant to Sweeney, and he was the one who signed Clifton away from Boston three summers ago.
So the work isn’t done. Clifton is back, the Bruins have added Jordan Harris, and the next move on defense will tell the real story.
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