Recent photo may indicate that John Klingberg is still on the Maple Leafs' radar

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed John Klingberg to a one-year deal in the summer of 2023. However, his stint with the team can be considered a disappointment, as he played only 14 games before suffering an injury. During that time, he recorded 0 goals, 5 assists, and a -7 rating.

Leafs fans had assumed Klingberg was done with the team this summer, viewing him as just another failed free agent acquisition. However, recent sightings may suggest otherwise.

Klingberg was spotted this week with current Maple Leafs forward Pontus Holmberg, as Holmberg's girlfriend, Cornelia Hedin (@corneliahedinn), posted a photo on Instagram showing Klingberg dining with friends, including Holmberg. This photo was subsequently shared on Klingberg's own Instagram story as well (@klingbergjohn).

Just when it seemed as though Klingberg might be out of the picture, his presence with current Leafs players may indicate the possibility of a return. Is there something happening behind the scenes regarding Klingberg in Toronto? Could he be in line for a new deal with the club, perhaps as a cheap depth option?

If Klingberg were to re-sign with the Maple Leafs, it might be on a deal similar to the one goaltender Matt Murray signed this summer -- one year at close to the league minimum. Klingberg could serve as a viable option as the Leafs' 7th defenseman, provided he stays healthy, which could be a decent fall-back option if the Jani Hakanpaa deal falls through.

Source for stats: HockeyDB
John Klingberg Statistics