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

[hockeywiz542]

Mark Masters Spot in Leafs' lineup for struggling Klingberg becomes tenuous | TSN

After being on the ice for four goals against in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators, defenceman John Klingberg knows he needs “to be better.” But as Mark Masters writes, the Maple Leafs can help him out by playing a better brand of team defence.

www.tsn.ca

John Klingberg insists the scrutiny that comes with playing in a Canadian market isn't bothering him.

"I don't listen too much to the noise from the outside," the Leafs defenceman said. "But obviously I put the most pressure on myself and I need to be better."

After being on the ice for four goals against in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators, Klingberg's spot in the lineup has become tenuous. He skated alongside Conor Timmins, who is out with a lower-body injury, on the fourth defence pair at practice.

"It was a tough game yesterday," Klingberg readily admits. "Nothing that we're happy about and I'm not happy about my performance either. We'll see what happens, but it's a coach's decision."

..................

Following Wednesday's game, Keefe acknowledged that Klingberg's play is a concern.

"We need to protect him better," the coach said.

Klingberg logged a season-low 15 minutes and 41 seconds on Wednesday.

"I don't think I'm moving my feet well," the 31-year-old said. "Not skating the way I can so there's stuff to work on for sure ... I don't think I've been pressing, but I haven't been able to find any offensive chances either, and that comes with me moving the feet, getting open and being in the right spots. I think that's what's missing."

Klingberg has been on the ice for a team-high 14 goals against in 5-on-5 play. Known as an offensive defenceman, the Swede has only produced five assists despite logging time on the top power-play unit. He has only landed 14 shots on net through 13 games.

"When I've really, really been struggling is when you're trying to do too much and I told myself not to do that this time and just let the game come to me," said Klingberg. "But, at the same time, I have to find ways to contribute out there both with the puck and without the puck as well. I think it comes down to moving my feet a lot more and being able to distribute the puck and be more involved."

Klingberg split last year between the Anaheim Ducks (24 points, minus-28 in 50 games) and Minnesota Wild (nine points, plus-3 in 17 games) before agreeing to a one-year, $4.15-million deal with the Leafs in the summer. After struggling defensively in recent years, this is a big opportunity for him to boost his standing in the league while playing in the bright Toronto spotlight.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

You realize he was the only one backchecking on that play. Laughable how people blame Gardiner, while the rest of the team was out to lunch. Guy could skate like the wind, and his D partners would throw him the puck like a hot potato because he was the only one that could move the puck back there.

That play? He's a career -10 in game sevens. There were a lot of plays. Maybe give some context next time you go off so i know what you're ranting about lol.

 

[Martin Skoula]

Admittedly, I didn't mind the signing because we desperately needed more offense from the blue line. I've been critical of his defensive play dating back to the last DAL/CGY playoff series, but I thought maybe in a better defensive system, he wouldn't look as bad and the offense would make up for the deficiencies.

It doesn't even look like he is trying out there. Stands up straight, stick on the wrong side of the body, questionable decisions with the puck, not taking his man....and worst of all, providing nothing offensively to negate some of the above.

Hard to say if he can turn it around. Maybe in a lesser role once everyone is healthy, but might be too late by that point.

We need reliable puck movement from our zone, not a PP specialist. To be fair to Klingberg though, the fastest way to move the puck out of our zone is to lose your man in front of the net and get a faceoff at center ice, he might be onto something there.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

"I need to be better."

There ya go folks.

That's the second player to say those exact same words recently. It really isn't that hard to do. Acceptance is the first step to being better.

Accountability goes a long way in smoothing things over with the fans.

I'd really like so see a member of the so-called leadership of this team say exactly that one day. Instead of brushing off the failures and telling us all how embarrassed the team is over the fans reaction. Here's a newsflash: the team shouldn't be embarassed about the fans reaction to all the losing.

The fans should be embarassed about the team's.

 

[Racer88]

There ya go folks.

That's the second player to say those exact same words recently. It really isn't that hard to do. Acceptance is the first step to being better.

Accountability goes a long way in smoothing things over with the fans.

I'd really like so see a member of the so-called leadership of this team say exactly that one day. Instead of brushing off the failures and telling us all how embarrassed the team is over the fans reaction. Here's a newsflash: the team shouldn't be embarassed about the fans reaction to all the losing.

The fans should be embarassed about the team's.

I endorse this post 100%

 

[Leafsfan74]

Saw this today. To me this was the worst pick up for the Leafs in the offseason though I understand the desire for a PP D Man . I did not want Dubas to trade for Karlsson either, these types don't work on this team as structured .

Leafs need more D like Schenn and Muzzin, our offense hasn't been the problem, we don't need it from the backend in end to end rushes, just pucks on net.


Keefe will do what he needs to do, regardless of the player, their tenure or salary. He has earned his stripes and is the captain of the ship.

​

​

Maple Leafs demote John Klingberg, sparking calls for trade​

MSN

www.msn.com

 

[leafs in five]

There ya go folks.

That's the second player to say those exact same words recently. It really isn't that hard to do. Acceptance is the first step to being better.

Accountability goes a long way in smoothing things over with the fans.

I'd really like so see a member of the so-called leadership of this team say exactly that one day. Instead of brushing off the failures and telling us all how embarrassed the team is over the fans reaction. Here's a newsflash: the team shouldn't be embarassed about the fans reaction to all the losing.

The fans should be embarassed about the team's.

yeah I love this guy, and I would love to replace guys like Marner, Tavares with a few more Klingbergs.

 

[VanW27]

Saw this today. To me this was the worst pick up for the Leafs in the offseason though I understand the desire for a PP D Man . I did not want Dubas to trade for Karlsson either, these types don't work on this team as structured .

Leafs need more D like Schenn and Muzzin, our offense hasn't been the problem, we don't need it from the backend.


Keefe will do what he needs to do, regardless of the player, their tenure or salary. He has earned his stripes and is the captain of the ship.

​

​

Maple Leafs demote John Klingberg, sparking calls for trade​

MSN

www.msn.com

He's bad, and everyone knew he was bad. Such a bizarre signing. If you wanted a PP quarterback Gus was right there, better and looking at a league minimum deal.

Name value and contract are the only things that have kept him in the NHL the last 2 years. He'll either be waiver fodder or playing in Sweden by this time next year.

 

[leafs in five]

He's bad, and everyone knew he was bad. Such a bizarre signing.

at this stage of my life I spend about 15 mins pre-draft preparing for fantasy leagues and I picked Klinger last year just assuming he'd be ok and a net positive on P/PPP vs +/-. I feel like GM Treliving put about the same amount of thought into the decision to sign him here.

 

[Shooter2x]

We tried and it failed. At least we tried. If we did nothing instead, people would complain that we didn't even try.

Klingberg was worth a gamble, especially if it's only 1 year. We had ZERO skill outside of Rielly on the backend.


As long as they fix it quick instead of going into round 1 with it, it's all good.

 

[leafs in five]

Schenn was so good here last year, it really is astounding they didn't just pay him this money.

 

[Advanced stats]

The good news is you could feasibly convince a team to take him for free, restore his value and swap him retained for a pick at the deadline.


Trade him now for future considerations, sign Ethan bear to a 2 year deal, see what we have with Topi, kick tires on Kane and see if he wants to come play with Matthews and if we have too, add a defenseman at the deadline.


Team X(San Jose, Calgary, Arizona) can run him out on PP1 and flip him for a 4th at the deadline.

 

[VanW27]

The good news is you could feasibly convince a team to take him for free, restore his value and swap him retained for a pick at the deadline.


Trade him now for future considerations, sign Ethan bear to a 2 year deal, see what we have with Topi, kick tires on Kane and see if he wants to come play with Matthews and if we have too, add a defenseman at the deadline.


Team X(San Jose, Calgary, Arizona) can run him out on PP1 and flip him for a 4th at the deadline.

We gave him a NTC (10 team but still) and he was only worth a 4th last year 2 years removed from being an NHL caliber Dman. Every passing day the name value, which is all he has, diminishes.

At this point no one is taking him without a sweetener. If you want to get rid of him the best case is probably in a trade for another D. Like Klingberg + 1st + 3rd for Zadarov. That way Treliving can save face and say Calgary wanted him when in reality we had to throw in a 3rd to get them to take him off our hands abd Calgary can pretend they got a player to help them "compete"

 

[supermann_98]

If SJ retained 50% would anyone here do a Klingberg for Vlasic straight up?

 

[WTFMAN99]

If SJ retained 50% would anyone here do a Klingberg for Vlasic straight up?

HELL NO

 

[The Iceman]

Kling's give-a-sh!t meter is as low as any Leaf player I have watched.

Regardless of cap hit, who would you rather....KLING or Eric Gustafsson?

 

[sxvnert]

Klingberg out with an "injury".

 

[supermann_98]

Klingberg out with an "injury".

His eyes are probably sore from seeing the red light going off so often when he’s on the ice

 

[leafers]

This is a good thread to re-read for sure

Just based on his recent comments (ga is out of control) and now this - the Leafs won’t win anything with this guy.

Who replaces him though?

 

[Larcos_Unal]

Klingberg out with an "injury".

His eyes are probably sore from seeing the red light going off so often when he’s on the ice

Must be quite the injury he's been nursing all year

Leafs are so chickenshit they're afraid to call it what it is, a benching. Don't want to shine a light on Treliving's brutal signing

 

[WTFMAN99]

I think he's one of the few players to ever have the entire fan base against them...analytics would defend a guy...or eye test would like a player but both sides of the fan base dislike this guy, kinda funny.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Klingberg out with an "injury".

 

[Stephen]

Kling's give-a-sh!t meter is as low as any Leaf player I have watched.

Regardless of cap hit, who would you rather....KLING or Eric Gustafsson?

His straight leg skating and refusal and inability to tie up his man and really get into it, poor puck distribution leads me to think he’s just not into it.

 

[tmlms13]

I haven't followed how Matt Dumba has done at Arizona State University but we could have had him for less money and an equal level of reclamation project

 

[Stephen]

Just based on his recent comments (ga is out of control) and now this - the Leafs won’t win anything with this guy.

Who replaces him though?

He’s been so unusually and spectacularly bad you could could put a dialled in AHLer out there and it would be an improvement. We literally saw this with Benn, Mete and Hollowell last year.