Edmonton Oilers Sign Free Agent Defenceman John Klingberg
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
Moments ago, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman broke the news that the Edmonton Oilers have signed 32 year old defenceman John Klingberg to a contract.
The Oilers had been reported as the heavy favourites to land the veteran Swedish defenceman, with the intention of playing him in their top four.
Edmonton Oilers sign free agent John Klingberg, another roster move coming
Klingberg has played 633 career NHL games, but only played 14 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season before leaving to have surgery for a hip injury.
Earlier in his career with the Dallas Stars, Klingberg was considered a high end offensive defenceman in the NHL, once putting up a 67 point season.
He's been plagued by the hip injury for a while before leaving the Leafs to deal with the injury. Perhaps he can find his game again while fully healthy with the Edmonton Oilers.
According to Chris Johnston, the surgery Klingberg had done was similar to other NHL players recently - who have returned with various degrees of success.
John Klingberg had a bi-lateral hip resurfacing procedure kind of similar to the procedures that were done on Patrick Kane and Jesse Puljujarvi before they returned,
- Chris Johnston, Insider trading
- Chris Johnston, Insider trading
The 2 Mutts Hockey Podcast has reported that the Oilers intend on trying Klingberg as a top four defenceman for a few weeks.
»Klingberg would be paired up with Nurse & he would get the opportunity to play on the PowerPlay as well, the fact that they could bring in Klingberg by not giving up any draft picks or trading any young players away has been a huge talking point in the organization. He's a free agent signing who can play in the top 4.
- 2 Mutts Hockey Podcast
- 2 Mutts Hockey Podcast
If he can fit and prove himself coming off the surgery, this will be a cheap and fantastic move for the Oilers. If not, they can just send him to the minors.
This move has the chance to have a great payoff for Edmonton, potentially adding a top four defender with no trade assets given up. Only time will tell how Klingberg will perform with the Oilers.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 17 | 438 ANSWERS Edmonton Oilers Sign Free Agent Defenceman John Klingberg Do you think the Oilers will play Klingberg in the top 4? | ||
| Yes | 281 | 64.2 % |
| No | 157 | 35.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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