Confirmed with Link: Leafs sign RHD John Klingberg (1 year, $4.15M) | UPD 11/23: LTIR

[IPS]

FYI - John Klingberg turned down massive offer before free agency​

He has to be furious with himself now!​

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It was announced, sort of unexpectedly, that John Klingberg had agreed to a one-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks. It was a surprise that Klingberg agreed to a one-year deal. Sure, it will pay him $7 million, however, it was believed that Klingberg was looking for a long-term deal.

And now we find out that he had a long-term offer on the table! Jeff Marek revealed that the Dallas Stars had offered Klingberg an eight-year deal at at $7 million AAV earlier in the year, but Klingberg’s camp wanted closer to eight years, but at $8 million (which Marek reported at the time).

Since his agent told him to turn him down and we now see what happened in the days leading to his contract with the Ducks, we get why Klingberg fired him. Klingberg switched agents, from Peter Wallen to Newport Sports, possibly in the hopes of making something happen in order to sign a lucrative deal as a free agent. Wallen was Klingberg’s agent when he signed a seven-year, $29.75 million deal with the Dallas Stars back in 2015.

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Not so long ago Klingberg was viewed very differently.

Dallas knows defensemen very well. They weren't offering him that contract for nothing.

Let's hope he can return to that form.

 

[Twine Tickler]

We realistically replace Justin Holl with John Klinberg. I am not sure how we could consider this to be a step back. If it works out great, if it doesn't John will be testing the UFA market yet again in 2024.

John is betting on himself in a spot where he feels like he can succeed. I think last summer he bet on himself in a different capacity. He went to Anaheim on a 1 year deal, where he took the money he likely felt he deserved, but was likely questioning the fit. I am sure he was intrigued by getting top pairing minute and the lifestyle of SoCal, but it ended up being a dumpster fire. I genuinely think he learned from that decision, and saw just how far his stock had fallen as a result of that.

To me, John likely had many 1 year deals on the table. Maybe even a couple multi year deals. He took a another 1 year gamble on himself, and I don't think he'd do that unless he saw the fit being ideal for his style of play.

When he signed, I believe he mentioned one of the factors that intrigued him about Toronto is their desire to play with the puck. We tend to keep puck possession through the neutral zone more then most teams. Lots of regrouping and waiting for the lanes to open up as opposed to getting into a dump and chase tit for tat. Clearly he feels like that is a system that will best fit his game.

I will admit, my initial reaction to the deal was not a positive one. But the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. He is a better fit for our PP1 over Mo IMO. The reason being is John is far more comfortable walking the blue line and drawing the PK'er up high. I think this is the case because he has shown an ability to take the ice that is given to him. You cannot just let him f*** around at the top of the zone, he can make you pay. Whereas Mo just doesn't ever exploit that time and space he is given in the same regard. John will either be given that same time and space or the opposing PK will come too high and it will open up Mitch and Auston on the walls. We might finally get that cross seem pass that has been missing on our PP for like 3 seasons. Something that was our bread and butter for a very long time.

Time will tell how this experiment will work. I feel like the bar is set relatively low when you consider he is replacing Holl

 

[Mess]

Dallas knows defensemen very well. They weren't offering him that contract for nothing.

Let's hope he can return to that form.

Well a year ago Klingberg was turning down 8 years at $7 mil ($56 mil deal) and Leafs got him now on a prove it deal for $4.15 mil.

Offensively last year's Leafs defense was among the lowest scoring in the league, so Klingberg is certainly going to help with that.

 

[phillipmike]

I like the offense Klingberg will bring. It is really missed over the years. The core hasnt helped themselves but neither did the previous GM. The supporting cast on forward, D and goaltending has gotten worse year by year. In inside a few weeks, Bertuzzi, Domi and now Klingberg are better players than a vast majority we have seen in the last 5 years and it cost you nothing but money on 1 year deals.

Back to Klingberg, we have been lucky with Rielly's health, but if you lose him for a long period of time you are having Brodie or Liljegren QBing a PP or running 5 forwards without Klingberg - all options arent great. If Klingberg plays all 82 games he is going to be a plus player with at least 40 points. This is something the Leafs needed for years, here is your number 2 scoring defensemen the last 5 years;

2022-23: Mark Giordano: 24 points in 78 games
2021-22: TJ Brodie: 28 points in 82 games
2020-21: Jake Muzzin: 27 points in 53 games
2019-20: Morgan Rielly: 27 points in 47 games (Barrie was #1)
2018-19: Jake Gardiner: 30 points in 62 games

Klingberg has averaged 56 points a season in his career. In his last 2 years which many deem are his worst, he gave you on average 40 points in 71 games.

Either our #2 D struggles to put up 30 points or cant stay healthy enough to play a full season except for Muzzin in the shortened 2020-21 season.

I wish we got Klingberg for less than $3M but on a 1 year deal it isnt fatal. Worth noting all the above players are left handed shots except for Barrie. Having an offensive right handed shot QB on the PP will give you a different look.

I know guys will point out that the Barrie experiment didnt work but remember, that was a shortened season due to COVID with a coaching change and a very very soft team everywhere especially in on the blueline. A very very weird year where the Leafs lost to a zamboni driver. That year we had Barrie, Ceci, Dermott, and a first year Holl playing with Rielly and the only guy with grit Muzzin who got hurt in game 2 of the playoffs. Next D on the list was Martin Marincin and Rasmus Sandin. Probably the softest Leafs defense in my lifetime. And we all know Trelving doesnt like soft D. If Treliving is done adding to the defense then i will be somewhat concerned. But i believe the Leafs are adding at least 1 more, likely 2 more defensive defensemen with grit which will help insulate Klingberg.

I know Klingberg's defense isnt great but on a better possession team it should be better. And the bar is low for who he is replacing;





Klingberg should be better than Holl defensively while putting up at least double the points Holl has in his career year (23).

 

[Mess]

Fun Fact:

John Klingberg was drafted in the 5th round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft but didn't make his NHL debut until 2014-15. From 2010-11 to 2013-14, he spent the majority of his time in the Swedish circuit before joining the Texas Stars of the AHL at the end of the 2013-14 season.

Klingberg started the 2014-15 season with the Texas Stars but only lasted 10 games before getting his NHL call-up after scoring 4 goals and 12 points. In 65 games during his rookie season, Klingberg scored 11 goals and 40 points and finished 5th amongst rookies for the Calder Trophy.

In fact, in his first 3 seasons with the Dallas Stars, Klingberg was exceptionally gifted offensively as he scored 34 goals and 147 points in just 221 games. The following season he exploded for a career-high 67 points and finished 6th in Norris Trophy voting for the second time in 3 years.

The 211 points that he scored within his first 300 games was the second most at the time behind only Erik Karlsson. 5 years later and Klingberg is still top-5 on that list as Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, and Adam Fox have leapfrogged both he and Karlsson.

If Klingberg can turn back the clock and bring his Dallas Stars' version to Toronto, then the Leafs will be in for a treat. His defensive deficiencies are known and it'll gravely depend on who his partner is for him to truly succeed.

 

[IPS]

I like the offense Klingberg will bring. It is really missed over the years. The core hasnt helped themselves but neither did the previous GM. The supporting cast on forward, D and goaltending has gotten worse year by year. In inside a few weeks, Bertuzzi, Domi and now Klingberg are better players than a vast majority we have seen in the last 5 years and it cost you nothing but money on 1 year deals.

Back to Klingberg, we have been lucky with Rielly's health, but if you lose him for a long period of time you are having Brodie or Liljegren QBing a PP or running 5 forwards without Klingberg - all options arent great. If Klingberg plays all 82 games he is going to be a plus player with at least 40 points. This is something the Leafs needed for years, here is your number 2 scoring defensemen the last 5 years;

2022-23: Mark Giordano: 24 points in 78 games
2021-22: TJ Brodie: 28 points in 82 games
2020-21: Jake Muzzin: 27 points in 53 games
2019-20: Morgan Rielly: 27 points in 47 games (Barrie was #1)
2018-18: Jake Gardiner: 30 points in 62 games

Klingberg has averaged 56 points a season in his career. In his last 2 years which many deem are his worst, he gave you on average 40 points in 71 games.

Either our #2 D struggles to put up 30 points or cant stay healthy enough to play a full season except for Muzzin in the shortened 2020-21 season.

I wish we got Klingberg for less than $3M but on a 1 year deal it isnt fatal. Worth noting all the above players are left handed shots except for Barrie. Having an offensive right handed shot QB on the PP will give you a different look.

I know guys will point out that the Barrie experiment didnt work but remember, that was a shortened season due to COVID with a coaching change and a very very soft team everywhere especially in on the blueline. A very very weird year where the Leafs lost to a zamboni driver. That year we had Barrie, Ceci, Dermott, and a first year Holl playing with Rielly and the only guy with grit Muzzin who got hurt in game 2 of the playoffs. Next D on the list was Martin Marincin and Rasmus Sandin. Probably the softest Leafs defense in my lifetime. And we all know Trelving doesnt like soft D. If Treliving is done adding to the defense then i will be somewhat concerned. But i believe the Leafs are adding at least 1 more, likely 2 more defensive defensemen with grit which will help insulate Klingberg.

I know Klingberg's defense isnt great but on a better possession team it should be better. And the bar is low for who he is replacing;





Klingberg should be better than Holl defensively while putting up at least double the points Holl has in his career year (23).

Great time to bring up those tweets. There's still people to this day who swear Holl was some high quality defensive D. He's a # 6/7 who got way overcast here. I might have to catch a Detroit game or 2 this year to laugh at his f***-ups with another team.

 

[Zur En Arrh]

I like Klingberg. I always have. I think he's going to have a good year and surprise people.

 

[bentharbs]

if anything he's one of the most electrifying players in hockey entertainment when he's on so that should be fun

 

[arso40]

if anything he's one of the most electrifying players in hockey entertainment when he's on so that should be fun

And he’s not afraid to drop the gloves

 

[Divine]

 

[Dekes For Days]

I mean, he kind of just stood there while the Winnipeg player flailed around on the ice for no reason and then fell out of the play, but nice shot.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

I'm not worried about his offense. It's his defense that is worrisome.

 

[LeafChief]

The Leafs desperately need more offense from the D.

If you want to get the most out of Klingberg, he should be on PP1.

 

[andora]

That’s kinda my whole point. Im definitely not saying he was good defensively. He was a mess in Anaheim, he was a mess in his last couple years in Dallas notably after a coaching change. He’s not without any blame obviously for his performance in those situations but I believe there’s more to it than just he’s bad. Is it possible to get just his defensive metrics over the 21 games in Minnesota? Because at first glance it certainly looks like it was a much better fit. Whether that’s him playing better, him being coached to his actual strengths and maybe sheltered for his weaknesses, maybe a more appropriate partner stylistically. I’d love to understand why he wasn’t a mess in Minnesota but was for 3 years prior so we can replicate it.

But he wasnt that strong in play in minny either - he was mostly paired with merrill.. they got the goal ratio in actual goals but the fancy stats suggest they were out shot out chanced and out played with a negative xga. He also had time with goligoski which was also pedestrian.

He just needs to be heavily coached and back supported when on the ice cause he will have some adventures like the tales of dave ellett

 

[phillipmike]

The 2022-23 Ducks had the highest goals against per game in NHL history since 1996 with 4.09 goals against per game.

For comparison sake in 2015-16, the year the Leafs tanked for Matthews, they gave up 3.00 goals against per game and they didn’t even make the list below.

NHL Records

records.nhl.com

Source: Row 111

The Ducks were easily the worst team in the league by a long shot with their starting goalie Gibson giving up 3.99 goals a game on average.

The Ducks best offensive player was 65 points in Zegras. Leafs had 4 players better than that; Marner (99), Nylander (87), Matthews (85) and Tavares (80).

You guys act like last year was Klingberg’s norm and are worried his game won’t drastically improve going from one of the WORST TEAMS IN NHL HISTORY to one of the premier skilled and possession teams in the league. Then argue his game didn’t drastically improve after 17 games with John F’n Merrill and Alex Goligoski?

We just saw first hand a goalie with .898 save percentage and 3.02 GAA improve to .919 and 2.33 in less than a calendar year. Who would have thought playing on better teams who want to win games with better players would improve your game?

Last year wasn’t the norm, it was the anomaly. Get off the ledge.

It’s what I hate about advanced stats. They tell some of the story. Not all. A nerd posts something on Twitter and detractors run with it.

You’re telling me the richest team in hockey doesn’t have an advanced scouting department? Anything the Leafs have blows Dom and J Fresh’s tweets out of the water. Doesn’t mean the Leafs Fo isn’t immune to making a mistake but this isn’t the second coming of Aki Berg, Brett Lebda or even Cody Ceci.

 

[andora]

The 2022-23 Ducks had the highest goals against per game in NHL history since 1996.

NHL Records

records.nhl.com

Source: Row 111

They were easily the worst team in the league by a long shot with their starting goalie Gibson giving up 3.99 goals a game on average.

View attachment 732199

The Ducks best offensive player was 65 points in Zegras. Leafs had 4 players better than that; Marner (99), Nylander (87), Matthews (85) and Tavares (80).

You guys act like last year was Klingberg’s norm and are worried his game won’t drastically improve going from one of the WORST TEAMS IN NHL HISTORY to one of the premier skilled and possession teams in the league. Then argue his game didn’t drastically improve after 17 games with John F’n Merrill and Alex Goligoski?

Last year wasn’t the norm, it was the anomaly. Get off the ledge.

Oh blah blah, of course it would improve going to a very well coached 200ft focused team like minnesota.. and he should do alright here but my opinion is that a good system can cover a player only so much

Our defence is oddly structured and the only guy i see really helping klingberg is brodie but then our right side weakens.. so it will be a balancing act sans additional additions

For this to be a success he needs to simply be net positive - how much so is up for debate but if ends with 45 goals for 44 goals against he is just a placeholder in my opinion versus all this skill he brings

I didnt think they needed him but he does address certain things - but getting him in my opinion opens up more work to be done.. either by getting him a partner or getting a rhd to supplement brodie

I think mccabe and liljegren should be the third pair full stop

 

[Stephen]

I mean, he kind of just stood there while the Winnipeg player flailed around on the ice for no reason and then fell out of the play, but nice shot.

Klingberg was deking for days...

 

[TheDoldrums]

You’re telling me the richest team in hockey doesn’t have an advanced scouting department? Anything the Leafs have blows Dom and J Fresh’s tweets out of the water. Doesn’t mean the Leafs Fo isn’t immune to making a mistake but this isn’t the second coming of Aki Berg, Brett Lebda or even Cody Ceci.

The Leafs were the richest team when they signed David Clarkson too. This argument makes no sense.

 

[phillipmike]

The Leafs were the richest team when they signed David Clarkson too. This argument makes no sense.

So because a FO 4 GMs ago made a terrible 7 year signing 10 years ago for a unskilled winger after a few good season, we are automatically doomed because a completely different GM and front office signs a skilled defensemen to a 1 year deal?

Yeah this argument is soooo much better.

 

[TheDoldrums]

So because a FO 4 GMs ago made a terrible 7 year signing 10 years ago for a unskilled winger after a few good season, we are automatically doomed because a completely different GM and front office signs a skilled defensemen to a 1 year deal?

Yeah this argument is soooo much better.

I didn't say we were automatically doomed. But the Leafs being a rich team with a lot of scouts doesn't mean anything. That has always been the case and they've still had a lot more mistakes than successes in the cap era.

 

[phillipmike]

I didn't say we were automatically doomed. But the Leafs being a rich team with a lot of scouts doesn't mean anything. That has always been the case and they've still had a lot more mistakes than successes in the cap era.

Yes and this shouldn’t be one of them. Plus this FO’s player evaluation record shouldn’t be predictor based on the past failures of the previous 7 GMs in the last 18-19 years.

They are taking a 1 year flier on a consistently great offensive defensemen who had terrible defensive numbers according to one metric and the reason for that was he played on one of the worst defensive teams in NHL history.

 

[Mess]

Leafs new PP1 will eventually run though John Klingberg as the PP QB from the point.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Klingberg was deking for days...

More like stickhandle a little bit, mostly in a stationary position. No clue what the Winnipeg player was doing there. I would hope that there are better clips of Klingberg than that.

 

[ACC1224]

Leafs new PP1 will eventually run though John Klingberg as the PP QB from the point.

Be great to have a shot threat, something that’s been missing.

 

[Mess]

Be great to have a shot threat, something that’s been missing.

Morgan Rielly and Willy Nylander might be seeing PP#2 time when Klingberg and Bertuzzi join PP#1.

A shot from the point and someone standing in the crease and screening the goalie while occupying the defense will give new PP coach Guy Boucher a whole new look in 2024.

Klingberg in no stranger to running a successful PP.