It seems like forever ago the Oilers signed defenseman John Klingberg, but due to immigration issues he's been unable to play; however, we now have a date. Defenseman John Klingberg will finally make his Edmonton Oilers debut, <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/new-report-confirms-the-reason-john-klingberg-debut-with-the-edmonton-oilers-has-not-happened-yet' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>pending no immigration changes</a>, Darren Dreger of TSN reports, as a date has finally been revealed. <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/edmonton-oilers-sign-all-star-defensemen-for-the-rest-of-the-season' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Klingberg signed with the Oilers on Jan. 17</a> for one year, pro-rated at $1 million. Oilers bench boss Kris Knoblauch had indicated last week that the 32-year-old would need at least a week to get acclimated to games. <h3>Klingberg to conveniently make his debut against his former Leafs team</h3> <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/status/1884623778178531747'> </a></blockquote></div> <a href='https://www.nhl.com/oilers/player/john-klingberg-8475906' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Klingberg</a> played his last NHL game with Toronto, where he had five assists and a minus-7 rating in 14 games before season-ending hip surgery in November 2023. Five to seven teams, including the Ottawa Senators and the Maple Leafs, were interested in him before he signed with Edmonton, according to Dreger. Taken 131st overall by Dallas initially in 2010, Klingberg has 81 goals and 412 points in 633 career games with the Stars, Ducks, Wild, and Leafs. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/HockeyDaily365/status/1650298346538409984'> </a></blockquote></div> <a href='https://www.nhl.com/standings/2025-01-28/wildcard' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>The Oilers, who lead the Pacific Division with a 32-15-3 record</a> (67 points), are bolstering their blue line with depth, while the Maple Leafs are gaining health on the front end. Dreger reports that forward Max Pacioretty will be back Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild. The 36-year-old, who has been out since Jan. 18 with an upper-body injury, has 12 points (5G, 7A) in 32 games this season. Toronto also expects winger Matthew Knies back Saturday against Edmonton. The 22-year-old has been out a week with an upper-body injury and has 31 points (18G, 13A) in 48 games this season.