Opinion: The Klingberg signing was a mistake that is already handcuffing the Leafs
Although I see Brad Treliving's first free agency as the Leafs GM as an overall success, there's one signing that just doesn't sit right with me. The Domi, Bertuzzi and Reaves signings were obviously meant to add some much needed jam to the team and I think they will be extremely successful here. The Klingberg signing, however, was a mistake - at least in my mind.
I'll preface by saying that John Klingberg is a talented, right-handed offensive defenseman who moves the puck extremely well and will absolutely improve the offensive capabilities on the Leafs' blueline. What he will not do is add any type of defensive value, or any measurable physical presence.
While it's okay to have a one dimensional player on the team, the Leafs already have an offence first defenseman in Morgan Rielly. Rielly, however, does add some jam and is willing to charge into the fray to defend his teammates.
I can understand wanting to add some offence from the blueline. It's been an issue over the past few seasons. What I don't understand is why Treliving has gone out and spent $4.15 million on a defenseman who doesn't play defense and whose offensive output has dwindled since leaving Dallas. Klingberg is a luxury the Leafs can't afford at the moment.
Where this really becomes a problem is the fact that Ilya Samsonov hasn't been signed yet. The Leafs are already $3.2M over the cap. Buying out Matt Murray will not afford them the space needed to sign Samsonov, whose contract should fall between $3.5M and $4.5M. Without the Klingberg signing, they would have had the space available, but now, a subsequent move will have to be made. I don't see a way to afford Samsonov without moving someone else.
We're about to see the Leafs lose a good player, and I feel as though the Klingberg signing is to blame. I just don't see how this improves the team over keeping a player like Erik Gustafsson or simply playing Conor Timmins. Both are offensively gifted and come in at a fraction of the price. Treliving has done a solid job so far, but, in my opinion, this signing is a misstep the Leafs will come to regret.
| POLL | ||
12 JUILLET | 408 ANSWERS Opinion: The Klingberg signing was a mistake that is already handcuffing the Leafs Was the John Klingberg contract a mistake by Brad Treliving? | ||
| Yes | 153 | 37.5 % |
| No | 152 | 37.3 % |
| I'm on the fence | 103 | 25.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
