According to Mike Heika of The Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Stars are expected to announce the extension of defenceman John Klingberg. As per Heika, it’s a seven-year deal that will pay Klingberg a annual cap hit of $4.25 and could be announced as soon as today.
Source: Stars and John Klingberg have agreed to terms on seven-year extension | @dallasnews http://t.co/XC68jg8vn2
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) 17 Avril 2015
Drafted in the fifth round, 131st overall, Klingberg made his way to the NHL as a 21-year-old after spending a few seasons in Europe, notably playing in both the Finnish and Swedish Elite leagues. After coming over to North America and playing just 13 games with their AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars, Klingberg entered his rookie season and put up big numbers. Finishing atop the rookie scoring race among defenseman with 40 points (11 goals, 29 assists) in 65 games, the Gothenburg-native also placed third among all rookies in ice time, with an average of 21:50, just behind Damon Severson of the New Jersey Devils and Oscar Klefbom of the Edmonton Oilers. The young defenceman was also the third most utilized player on the Stars team.
Requiring double hip surgery last summer, Klingberg was forced to start the season in Texas, but he wasn’t there for long after putting up a strong 10-game run, scoring 4 goals and adding 8 assists, before his inevitable call-up to the big club. A smooth skater with great vision and offensive-awareness, Klingberg showcased his ability to move the puck up the ice and use his heavy shot to put goals up on the board. His effectiveness at puck movement was used on the powerplay, where the young Swede saw an average ice time of 2:53 while on the man advantage, putting up 12 of his 40 points in the process.
Klingberg also saw success at the international level, as part of the 2012 World Junior Championship Swedish team, who won the gold medal. Set to become a restricted free agent this July, the reported deal will pay him until the 2021-22 season, where he’ll turn 28 and finish off the longest contract currently paid out by the Stars. He’ll also become the second highest paid defenceman on the team, behind Alex Goligoski‘s $4.8 million deal, which is set to end after next season.
Should the contract be finalized, it will be one less worry for general manager Jim Nill, heading into this off-season. Not only does he have a few unrestricted free agents to deal with in goaltender Jhonas Enroth, and wingers Shawn Horcoff, Rich Peverley and Patrick Eaves, but there are also a surplus of restricted free agents looking for new deals, namely Patrik Nemeth, Radek Faksa, Jamie Oleksiak, Jyrki Jokipakka, and Brett Richie.
The reported deal will pay Klingberg the same salary as defenceman Tyler Bozak, forwards Brandon Dubinsky and Mike Fisher, and goaltender Craig Anderson.
Main Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
