A Diamond in the Rough: Oilers in Talks with Rehabbing NHL Blue-Liner

The Edmonton Oilers have been in the market all season to acquire a defenceman, but an interesting option has popped up with free agent John Klingberg

Oilers insider Bob Stauffer has said that Edmonton could be adding an off the radar player, with a preference to a puck moving defenceman.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has just reported that John Klingberg is currently skating to get up to speed with a junior team, and looking to sign a contract after the holiday break.

“[Klingberg] does want to resume his career. He’s looking to potentially join a team, after Christmas, probably closer to the end of January. But he’s going to join a junior team first to skate, and he’s hoping to come back to the NHL.”

– Elliotte Friedman

Klingberg is a veteran puck moving defenceman, and a right shot which fits the Oilers weak side. Now 32 years old, the Swedish defenceman has played 633 career NHL games, and was fairly recently considered one of the better offensive defenders in the NHL.

Should the Edmonton Oilers be Interested in Signing John Klingberg?

Signing any player mid-season after hip surgery comes with a significant risk, even more so when a player is 32 years old and hasn’t played in over a year like Klingberg.

However, given his circumstances Klingberg likely won’t command more than a league minimum deal. If he signs in late January, that would also give a team a trial run of play before the playoffs.

The Edmonton Oilers would reportedly prefer to add a quality puck moving defenceman to their group, and Klingberg can certainly bring that element.

When he was at his best, John Klingberg could make quality breakout passes, could control play in the offensive zone, and had a weapon of a shot. However, he was also one of the weakest defensive players in the league.

For a team like the Oilers with goals to make a long playoff run, a player like Klingberg with serious doubts about his level of play and defence may deter Edmonton from signing him.

However, they certainly should be inquiring on him. They could afford to sign a league minimum contract and try it out, and move him to the minors or in trade before the playoffs.