Insider provides interesting update on John Klingberg
It's been pretty quiet on the John Klingberg front, but one Insider has provided an official update on the oft-injured blueliner.
The now former Leafs defenseman is still recovering from the hip surgery he underwent last season, but intends to play next season.
It was a questionable move by Leafs GM Brad Treliving when he signed Klingberg to a 1-year, $4.15M deal last July. Understanding the need for a right-shot defenseman that would provide the Leafs with some offense, Treliving took a chance on the Swede. Unfortunately, it didn't pay off.
Klingberg skated in just 14 games for the Leafs before he was placed on LTIR at the end of November. A few weeks later, Klingberg underwent hip surgery and has been recovering since.
On Monday, The Fourth Period's Dave Pagnotta reported that Klingberg is still recovering and is waiting until he is fully healthy before he explores his playing options for next season.
Klingberg's process appears to be similar to that of Patrick Kane, who didn't begin speaking with teams until he was back skating in late October, early November of last year.
The demand for Kane was significantly higher than the demand for Klingberg, but if he is fully healthy and able to get closer to the form he had during his early years in Dallas, he could be a very good mid-season pickup for a team that needs help on the blueline.
In 633 career games, Klingberg has registered 81 goals and 412 points in stints with the Dallas Stars, Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Source: Hockey-referenceJohn Klingberg stats and bio
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