The Toronto Maple Leafs signed UFA defenceman John Klingberg to a new contract. The deal runs for one year expiring after the 2023-24 season. The dollar amount was not yet released on Klingberg’s new deal.
UFA John Klingberg Signs New Contract with Toronto
In 619 career games, Klingberg tallied 81 goals and 326 assists, combining for 407 career points to date. Last season, he scored 10 goals and 23 assists (33 total points) across 67 games. The defenceman, 30, entered the league after being drafted in the fifth round, 131st overall, in the 2010 entry draft by the Dallas Stars.
Klingberg signed a one-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks last year, after spending his entire career prior with Dallas. He hoped to prove himself and land with a contender at the deadline. The decision was a classic “bet on yourself” style move. Best case scenario, Klingberg garners tons of interest league wide and then finds himself on a team poised for a deep playoff run. Then, in the offseason, he capitalizes on a big year, signing for as long and as much as possible.
What this Means for the Future
In reality, Klingberg struggled with the Ducks. Despite this, he still wound up finishing the season with the Minnesota Wild, so the deadline-deal portion of the plan did in fact occur. That said, his performance in both Anaheim and Minnesota felt underwhelming.
Since the Wild failed to win a playoff round too, Klingberg didn’t do much for his stock value in 2022-23. The numbers on this new Klingberg’s contract reflect that, too. That said, he brings plenty of NHL experience with him, and a bounce-back feels imminent. After all, he has plenty of gas left in the tank given that he’s just entering his 30’s. His new team hopes to see the big defenceman regain his form. If he does, Klingberg can log top-pair minutes and contribute significantly on both ends of the ice.
Main Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
