John Klingberg and the Toronto Maple Leafs have agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $4.15 million annually. Klingberg was a fifth-round draft selection at 131st overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Dallas found a great defenseman late in the draft.
Klingberg has been in the league since the 2014-15 season and most recently split his 2022-23 season with the Anaheim Ducks (50 games) and Minnesota Wild (17 games). Klingberg posted eight goals and 16 assists, totaling 24 points for Anaheim. Meanwhile, he scored two goals and seven assists, totaling nine points for Minnesota.
In Klingberg’s career, he’s played 619 games where he’s scored 81 goals and 326 assists for the Dallas Stars, Anaheim Ducks, and the Minnesota Wild. Klingberg is a player who loves the bright lights, Toronto has some of the brightest lights for coverage in the NHL. After Toronto lost three defensemen in Erik Gustafsson, Luke Schenn, and Justin Holl, Klingberg brings a bright spot to the team after losing decent defensemen.
Klingberg’s deal is the second consecutive one-year deal that he’s signed during free agency, while he’s looking for a significant pay raise, he will be hunting a Stanley Cup first.
John Klingberg is set to become an unrestricted free agent when his contract expires at the end of the 2023-24 season.
