The Edmonton Oilers ended weeks of speculation by signing veteran blue liner John Klingberg to a one-year deal on Friday. On the surface, this deal is a low-risk, high-reward proposition for the Oilers. The club has been looking to bolster its blue line depth and frankly, I can see teams lining up to fleece the Oilers.
So, bringing in Klingberg makes sense. He was once one of the top two-way defencemen in the league. He could quarterback the power play, while playing solid defence. However, injuries took their toll on him. He was so banged up that he required hip resurfacing surgery. This procedure is highly complex and most players don’t make it back to the NHL.
Former Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom got the procedure. He made it back to the lineup but was never the same. Ed Jovanovski managed just 37 games after the surgery, while Ryan Kesler never played again. Thus far, the only success story has been the Detroit Red Wings’ Patrick Kane. Kane has played well for the Red Wings this season, filling in a meaningful top-six role on a young team.
This situation underscores how Klingberg is a long-shot at this point. I hate to pour cold water on the signing, but it’s a reality. The Edmonton Oilers don’t really know what they’re getting in Klingberg until he finally hits the ice.
There is a silver lining, though. Players like Kesler and Jovanovski got the procedure years ago. That’s why it’s reasonable to assume that advances in the procedure have improved to where players can get back to where they once were.
Here’s a cool explanation of the procedure by Elliotte Friedman and how well players have fared following the procedure. On the whole, the surgery provides recipients a better quality of life. But as far as getting players back on the ice, the odds are not in their favor.
How John Klingberg helps the Edmonton Oilers
When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Klingberg in 2023, the hope was that he could be a top-four offensive presence to support the club’s top defenceman Morgan Rielly. Unfortunately, Klingberg was banged up to the point where he could no longer be an effective player. The Leafs shut him down and placed him on LTIR for the remainder of the season.
This time around, there’s a fair chance Klingberg comes back to play a solid role on the Oilers’ blue line. Personally, the chances of Klingberg becoming a 20-minute-a-night blue liner are slim. He looks like a depth defenceman at this point.
I hope he proves everyone wrong, starting with me. If he does, the Oilers would have hit a home run by giving Klingberg a chance. The likeliest outcome, however, is that Klingberg does not contribute to the team this season. Perhaps next season, once Klingberg gets more ice time and a full training camp, Klingberg can become a key member on the team.
There is one other reflection: The Oilers were smart to sign Klingberg now. Bringing him into the fold now ensures Klingberg is eligible for the postseason. By then, Klingberg could be in much better playing shape.
A conditioning stint in Bakersfield could be the best place to start. Once he’s ready, the Oilers must get Klingberg on the ice. Then, the Oilers can see just how much he has left in the tank.