Oilers sign Klingberg to 1-year deal

The Edmonton Oilers announced Friday they've signed free-agent defenseman John Klingberg to a one-year contract.

The pact contains a pro-rated salary of $1 million and a $350,000 signing bonus for a cap hit of $1.74 million, per PuckPedia.

Klingberg hasn't played since November 2023 while with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He underwent season-ending hip resurfacing surgery a month later. The 32-year-old went unsigned during the offseason and was rehabbing with the same team Patrick Kane used in his recovery from the same procedure in 2023.

The Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, and Dallas Stars were reportedly also vying for Klingberg's services.

In Edmonton, Klingberg will try to help fill the team's biggest void: right defense. After Evan Bouchard, the right side of the Oilers' blue line consists of Ty Emberson, Troy Stecher, and Josh Brown - all of whom make $1 million or less per season.

Klingberg was one of the league's best offensive defensemen during his heyday with the Stars. The Swede finished as high as sixth in Norris Trophy voting on two occasions, the latter coming in 2017-18 when he recorded a career-high 67 points. He was also superb during Dallas' run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2020, racking up 21 points in 26 games.

However, he struggled mightily on the defensive end in his last few seasons in Dallas, Anaheim, Minnesota, and Toronto. In his last three campaigns, he owns a minus-60 rating in 155 games. He was minus-7 in 14 appearances with the Maple Leafs last season, registering five assists.