Clifford was placed on the injured reserve Wednesday with an undisclosed injury. In his two games with the Maple Leafs this season, he had an assist and two PIMs while playing 7:55 ATOI in his usual grinder role.
Clifford appeared in the last two games but lands on IR with an undisclosed ailment. Expect Zach Aston-Reese to draw into the lineup to replace Clifford in the lineup on Thursday.
Clifford has only suited up in 20 games this season, 12 NHL games and eight AHL games. The 31-year-old grinder has two assists in 10 games with the Maple Leafs and had one assist in two games with the Blues before he was traded.
Clifford sat out the last game as a healthy scratch but will suit up against his former team on Saturday. Clifford played 10 years and 660 games for the kings from 2010 to 2020 before being traded to Toronto.
Clifford has played in the first three games of the season, scoring one goal while playing 6:45 ATOI but is expected to sit in favour of Sammy Blais, who returns from a two-game suspension.
Clifford is being evaluated for a concussion and GM Rob Blake expects him to be out for a little while. The Kings recalled Austin Wagner on Sunday, so expect him to replace Clifford in the lineup on Monday.
Clifford played just 5:21 TOI before departing Wednesday’s game with an upper-body injury. Clifford is listed as week-to-week and with him sidelined, Jonny Brodzinski is expected to draw back into the lineup on Saturday.
Clifford has three assists and two penalty minutes in two games this season, but on Tuesday he will be a healthy scratch as Nic Dowd gets set to make his season debut in Minnesota.
The Maple Leafs said that Clune’s recall was a reward for him being a good veteran with the Marlies. The reward was 5:44 TOI in one game before being swapped out with Sam Carrick.
Clune has seven goals and 14 assists (21 points) in 45 games with the Marlies this season. In 18 games with the Maple Leafs, the physical winger has posted three assists in 18 contests.
Prust has been a healthy scratch in the last three games and cleared waivers on Wednesday. Prust had just seven points (1G / 6A) in 35 games this season.
Clifford has been sidelined since December 6th, but played two games with Ontario during the All-Star break. He failed to record a point, but returns to the Kings where he has three assist in 26 games.
Clune has registered 15 points (5G / 10A) in 29 games with the Marlies this season. The 28-year-old has 18 career points (7G / 11A) in 122 NHL games between the Kings, Predators and Maple Leafs.
