Penguins Secure Connor Clifton and 39th Pick from Sabres

The Pittsburgh Penguins have secured defenseman Connor Clifton along with the 39th pick in the 2025 NHL Draft from the Buffalo Sabres, trading away defenders Conor Timmins and Isaac Belliveau in the process.

Buffalo Sabres Deal Connor Clifton and Draft Selection to Pittsburgh Penguins

The Buffalo Sabres kicked off the second round of the NHL draft on Saturday with a trade, dealing defenseman Connor Clifton along with the 39th overall pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In return, they acquired defensemen Conor Timmins and Isaac Belliveau.

Timmins, 26, is currently a pending restricted free agent. His previous salary cap hit stood at $1.1 million. During the last season, the St. Catharines, Ontario native played in 68 games, recording 15 points along with 30 penalty minutes while splitting time between Toronto and Pittsburgh. He was originally selected by the Colorado Avalanche as the 32nd overall pick in the 2017 draft and plays as a right-shot defenseman.

Belliveau, 22, is a left-shot defenseman who is expected to head to the Rochester Americans. He is in the final year of his contract, with an earning potential of $875,000. Belliveau was drafted 154th overall by the Penguins in 2021. Over the past season, he divided his time between the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers.