John Klingberg return timeline revealed by Oilers coach Knoblauch
John Klingberg has been with the Edmonton Oilers for several practices now, and will be making his official debut with the team next week - on or before February 1st.
The Oilers signed the free agent defenceman Klingberg last week in a surprise move to address their blue line without spending assets in trade.
John Klingberg will make Oilers debut on February 1st or earlier, says Coach Knoblauch
Oilers coach Knoblauch met with the media today and confirmed Klingberg will return sometime in the team's three games next week - with the final game being Saturday February 1st against the Maple Leafs.
Some video has emerged of John Klingberg skating at Oilers practice, and he looks be to be moving with great mobility and strength for a player coming off hip surgery.
For most of Klingberg's tenure with the Dallas Stars between 2014-2020, he was considered one of the higher end offensive defenceman in the league.
He's always had defensive shortcomings, but Klingberg's offensive strengths could play right into the strentghs of the Oilers. His elite passing will benefit the elite forwards moving up ice, and his shot can be a weapon on its own and for rebounds.
Signing Klingberg to a 1 year deal for $1.7M in cap hit, there's very little risk for this deal to go wrong for Edmonton. At worst, he becomes their seventh defenceman for the year - at best, he saves them from acquiring a top four defender in trade.
It'll be exciting to see Klingberg make his return to the NHL this week with an elite offensive team that could benefit his strengths - and possibly making his debut against his former team in the Maple Leafs.
