Clifford info
Kyle Clifford (6-foot-1, 200 pounds), the Kings' second-round pick (No. 35 overall) ended with a rank of 182 among North American skaters, but had received some buzz, as Red Line Report had him listed as its 50th-best prospect.
Last season, in his second season with Barrie of the OHL, Clifford had 16 goals, 12 assists and 133 penalty minutes in 60 games. Red Line Report compares Clifford's style to that of Chris Neil and says there is ``no fear in his game, and has shown a propensity to score some key goals.''
International Scouting Services analysis: ``Clifford is a straight ahead player with an edge. Skating is just OK - has heavy feet and needs to make sure he keeps his feet moving to get speed - skating has shown improvement over the season. If straight pass in not available does nice job of advancing pucks. During offensive plays and cycles makes it very difficult for D to contain him with his good size and strength. Responsible in D zone making strong plays getting pucks out. Plays physical style of game looking to finish hits and make contacts.''
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Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor. E-mail Rich at rich.hammond@dailynews.com.
Jill Painter joined the Daily News in 2000 and during the last eight years she's covered the Dodgers, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Kings, golf and everything in between. Even though she's from Colorado, she still freezes in the Staples Center press box but always manages to thaw her fingers in time to make deadline. E-mail Jill at jill.painter@dailynews.com.
Thanks for the write up, Rich!
Looks like the Kings are getting tougher to play against and more gritty with this draft.
Schenn and Clifford both like to finish checks.
Interesting..
Also, via Redline:
http://kwisp.wordpress.com/2009/06/27/red-line-reports-list-usatoday-com-somebody-will-get-an-itchy-trigger-finger-early-in-the-second-round-guess-who/
clifford fight videos: http://www.hockeyfights.com/players/7404/videos
Taylor Doherty is a monster
And Detroit WOULDDDD take Tatar
I agree Brent.
Sounds like we're serious on becoming a difficult team to play against.
Also both guys are team/character guys.
Who are we hoping for in the 3rd round? Is O'Reilly still available?
big reach for a fighter
wasted pick potential very high
best ranking 50 and we take him 35 ugh
They must be hungover
Trade! Calgary made the 74th pick!
Kings now listed at 84 on the board.
AK I agree,
DL's track record with his 2nd round picks has been Hooooooooorrible. I don't recall what Simmonds ranking was but I am quite sure it was higher than his draft spot. they must have been drinking before that draft as well.
Oh yeah. Moller was a reach as well, he is far too small to ever play in the NHL.
Get a clue.
AK
sorry I misread who posted.
anonandonanon
see above
This guy should, at minimum, turn out something like a Travis Moen-type within 2-3 years or so. With some luck, he may even have a better offensive touch than Moen.
He has very good hockey sense & will definitely play in the NHL--He just may not turn out to be much of a scorer and may be strictly 3rd-4th line, a la Moen.
But he has shown some signs of great solidity in that role (at NHL camp and exhibition), even at a young age.
He is super-strong, even for his size, is tough as nails,
and has good hockey sense (esp defensively).
He has the look of 1990s New Jersey bottom-6 player--Big, fast, solid, nasty.
He was picked because he is nearly a "sure-thing" to make it & contribute, albeit probably not as a "top-6er".