Clifford returns on a one-year deal to the Marlies, and has only played a couple of games in the NHL the last few years due to his notoriety as well as his suspension for his rough check on Ross Colton in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Since then, he has settled into a mentor role for the Marlies, often being a voice of reason for the youth movement and making sure they don't make the same mistakes he's made in his career. Last year, Clifford scored 10 goals and added 18 assists while mainly focusing on being a gritty enforcer, often throwing hands and even receiving a suspension.
