Edmonton Oilers: Klefbom Talks Hall-Larsson Trade, Recovery

The Edmonton Oilers are eager to get the season going to see their newest Swedish defenseman, Adam Larsson, in action. However, there’s another Swedish defender also ready to hop onto the ice, and that’s Oscar Klefbom.

The 23-year-old defenseman signed a huge seven-year contract with Edmonton last season, but missed most of the year with complications, including a broken finger and a recurring staff infection in his leg. He has since recovered and is looking forward to joining his new-look team. Klefbom spoke with hockeysverige.se, a Swedish hockey news site, and he had a lot to say about his recovery, former teammate Taylor Hall and his new teammate in Larsson (*Quotes used in this article are translated to the best of ability).

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Around Christmas, Klefbom’s foot swelled up, and he was admitted to the emergency room with a severe case of staph. He had to go through surgery, and it was around that time that Edmonton was still in the running for a playoff spot. However, he realized that while he sat out, the Oilers again were out of playoff contention, and his coming back would not lead to a berth.

“I did everything I could in order to come back and to play the ten last games,” Klefbom told the outlet. “But when we did not have the opportunity to make the playoffs, we decided it was not worth taking a chance. There was nothing to win with me playing more.”

Klefbom also pointed out that though he hated to see Edmonton fall without him, it was somewhat of a blessing in disguise; he saw what he really meant and what he was truly worth to the organization.

“It’s clear that you never want to see your team lose, but the difference was [that] I felt proud of my role,” Klefbom said. “It was very flattering when you read the media and fans write, ‘Now we see Klefbom’s greatness.’ There were even many who thought that I was needed more than [Connor McDavid], who was injured at the same time. It is clear that it gave my ego a boost.”

Since then, Klefbom has said that the staph has cleared up, and he is ready to start the season right. He has been training with Jonas Brodin and Marcus Johansson, and wants to “go into this season 100 percent” and play as much as he can.

“The infection has healed [well], although I have a big, ugly scar,” Klefbom said. “I have been in Montréal and [made] customized skates since then.”

In regards to the Taylor Hall-Adam Larsson deal, Klefbom had a lot to say about the team, but most importantly, he is excited to play with his country mate.

“I talked to Adam [Larsson], who is now in Edmonton,” Klefbom said. “He’ll [get] an apartment near the same house where I live, so it may be that we are neighbors. It would be perfect – because then we can go together to practice and games.”

Klefbom understands that Larsson cost the Oilers a lot, including one of its top forwards in Hall, but he stands by the fact that it’s all making Edmonton a better team.

“I think the team has improved. We already have so many promising forwards, and we did not really have a peak,” Klefbom said. “I also think Adam has a real breakthrough this year, and hopefully, I get the chance to play with him and form chemistry.”

Klefbom had a lot to say about his price, and talked about his former teammate in Hall, discussing what he brought to the team night in and night out.

“At the same time, I understand the reactions [to the trade],” Klefbom said. “Taylor has been our best player in recent years, but it’s also hard to tell what he has contributed. He never played his best games against the tougher teams, which was when he really needed [him]. However, he was fantastic when we played inferior teams.”

Hall led the Oilers in goals, assists, points and average time on ice last season, and also had 328 points (132 G, 196 A) in 381 career games with the Oilers. He was by far the team’s top forward and star player, and now, Edmonton will have to move on without him.

Despite this, Klefbom sees the team taking a step in the right direction, and is eager for the future, where Edmonton is creang a new team and starting next season at Roger’s Place. He sees that filling Hall’s void is “simply up to other promising forwards” to fulfill, which will be “exciting to see.”

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“We have [gotten] important players like Adam and Milan Lucic,” Klefbom said. “Lucic is otherwise exactly the kind of player we need – a player who can create space for others. If we can also get to have McDavid healthy all season and all the others rise a notch, I think this will be really good.”