Oilers' Klingberg expected to make season debut vs. Red Wings
Edmonton Oilers defenseman John Klingberg is expected to make his season debut Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings, head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed, according to team commentator Bob Stauffer.
The Oilers signed Klingberg to a one-year deal just under two weeks ago. His pact includes a pro-rated salary of $1 million and a $350,000 signing bonus while carrying a $1.76-million cap hit, per PuckPedia.
Klingberg last played Nov. 11, 2023 as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He underwent season-ending hip surgery the following month and ended the campaign with five assists in 14 games.
As a right-handed rearguard, Klingberg fills a positional need in Edmonton. Here's how the Oilers' blue line is expected to look with him in the lineup, though it's important to note Mattias Ekholm missed Wednesday's practice with an illness.
| LD | RD |
|---|---|
| Mattias Ekholm | Evan Bouchard |
| Darnell Nurse | John Klingberg |
| Brett Kulak | Ty Emberson |
Klingberg spent the first eight seasons of his NHL career with the Dallas Stars before signing a one-year, $7-million deal with the Anaheim Ducks as a free agent in 2022. Anaheim then dealt him to the Minnesota Wild at the 2023 trade deadline.
The 32-year-old hit the 40-point mark six times as a member of the Stars and tallied a career-high 67 points in 2017-18. Klingberg has had a rough go defensively as of late and is a combined minus-85 over his last five seasons.
Edmonton entered Thursday's slate in first place in the Pacific Division with a 32-15-3 record.