Former Maple Leafs Enforcer Appears to Be Taking on a New Role for the Team

As the NHL offseason begins, many players are evaluating their careers and what the next steps are. For veteran forward Kyle Clifford, his next move will keep him within the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, but in a different capacity.

As per Lance Hornby on X, Clifford was recently spotted at development camp, hinting at his transition into a player development role:

Clifford last suited up for the Maple Leafs in 2022-23, appearing in just two games. However, he has been a consistent veteran presence with the Toronto Marlies, the Leafs' AHL affiliate, over the past three seasons.

Last year, Clifford played 17 games for the Marlies, tallying 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points. Throughout his NHL career, he played 753 games, racking up 905 penalty minutes across stints with the Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Clifford had already started contributing behind the scenes, reportedly doing scouting work for the Leafs while still playing for the Marlies last season. His shift into player development seems like a more natural progression.

While there's been no formal announcement regarding his retirement from playing, Clifford's leadership, experience, and professionalism will undoubtedly make him a valuable asset to the organization in any role he takes on after he hangs up the skates.