The initial frenzy of the free agency period is over, but there are still plenty of NHL rumours. Some of the big-name free agents are still out there looking for teams. Players like Nazem Kadri and others are still on the open market. One of these players is Dallas Stars defenceman, John Klingberg. Today’s NHL rumours will focus on the Swedish blueliner.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
John Klingberg Wants Multi-Year Contract
The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reports that Klingerberg wants a multi-season contract. Pagnotta added that multiple teams have asked about the Swede and that he won’t entertain one-year deals.
As I mentioned on @NHLNetwork earlier this hour, no decision expected today from John Klingberg. Multiple teams still in mix, negotiations continue (no one-year deals being considered thus far).
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 14, 2022
Klingberg has been a double-digit goal-scorer four times in his career. However, that hasn’t happened since 2018-19 when got 10 goals. His numbers have decreased in recent years, but he can still be a useful defenceman.
The Gothenburg, Sweden native was hoping for a deal like teammate Miro Heiskanen, but the money may not be there for Dallas. Klingberg had stated that he wants to stay with the Stars, but general manager Jim Nill has over $11 million in cap space and still needs to re-sign restricted free agents like Jake Oettinger and Jason Robertson. It’s almost a foregone conclusion that Klingberg will move on.
What it Means
There are plenty of teams that could use a Klingberg on the roster. However, those may not be contending teams. The Buffalo Sabres have $19 million in cap space and the Seattle Kraken has around $10 million. Both teams have been nowhere near the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.
Seattle has made some progress in drafting Shane Wright and having Matt Beniers down the middle. However, defence was a major issue with the Kraken and Klingberg could be part of the solution.
The Swede will likely hope for a contender to take interest in him. However, the offers may not be as lucrative as they once were at the start of free agency.
John Klingberg is one of just five defensemen with at least five 45-point seasons since 2016: https://t.co/vacTC3e6mf
Where will he end up? #NHLFreeAgency pic.twitter.com/6QjnEHhXoA
— Hockey Reference (@hockey_ref) July 14, 2022
