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The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defenseman John Klingberg to a one-year deal paying him $4.15 million per season.
Heading into the 2022 offseason, many believed that Klingberg was going to be the bell of the proverbial ball earlier than free company, with most predicting that he would signal a long-term contract together with his then workforce, the Dallas Stars, or in any case obtain a three-plus-year contract. He was coming off a 47-point season, in spite of everything, the place he was enjoying 22 minutes every night time in a top-line pairing for the Stars.
Related: 2023 NHL Free Agency Tracker
However, that didn’t come to fruition. Whether it was due to excessive expectations, a flat cap, or a mix of the 2, Klingberg merely didn’t obtain that huge contract. Instead, later in free company than regular, he signed a one-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks, the place he was anticipated to play huge minutes for a weak workforce, elevate his commerce worth, then be dealt on the deadline for an opportunity to show himself once more within the playoffs.
While he was traded on the deadline to the Minnesota Wild, Klingberg didn’t have an enormous season as hoped. While he nonetheless posted 33 factors, he took a little bit of a step again on the ice. This might have been partly due to his enjoying for a foul Anaheim workforce, however even with the Wild he merely didn’t look the a part of a top-two defenseman within the NHL proper now.
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Now, that’s not to say that he can’t turn into that participant as soon as once more, as Klingberg is a confirmed veteran that doubtless has 4 or extra years of high-level play left in his profession. If he can discover his place with Toronto, he can simply get again to these highs and earn a brand new contract.
What Klingberg Brings to the Maple Leafs
For the Maple Leafs, they seem to be shopping for low on a participant that we all know has plenty of expertise, however simply wasn’t in a position to discover the fitting spot since departing Dallas. While he wager on himself and that wager didn’t come to fruition final season, that doesn’t imply that he gained’t be impactful for Toronto.
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In a diminished function behind gamers like T.J. Brodie and Morgan Rielly, Klingberg needs to be in a greater spot to discover his sport. The expertise is there for him to tackle top-four minutes for at the least a couple of extra seasons, particularly given his basic body of work before 2022-23.
Is this a little bit of a big gamble for Toronto? Not actually, thanks to the one-year time period on this contract. If they’re proper and Klingberg returns to type, then the Maple Leafs can transfer to lock him down with an extension subsequent offseason. If not, then it was a worthy try to shore up their protection.
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