The Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, and Edmonton Oilers are among five-to-seven teams interested in signing free-agent defenseman John Klingberg, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.
A decision is expected in the next two weeks, Dreger added.
Klingberg last played in the NHL in November 2023 with the Maple Leafs before undergoing season-ending hip resurfacing surgery a month later. He went unsigned during the offseason and has been skating with the rehab team Patrick Kane used during his recovery from the same surgery in 2023.
The 32-year-old managed five assists in 14 games with the Maple Leafs last season before shutting it down. He struggled mightily on the defensive end, as he did during the 2022-23 campaign split between the Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild and in his final season with the Dallas Stars in 2021-22.
Klingberg was one of the NHL's top offensive defensemen in his prime. He finished as high as sixth in Norris Trophy voting on two occasions, the latter coming in 2017-18 when he posted a career-high 67 points. The Swede was also sensational during Dallas' run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2020, racking up 21 points in 26 games.
The 6-foot-3, right-shot defender would likely enter the fold as a depth option if he chooses to sign with the Maple Leafs, Senators, or Oilers.
