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Former Maple Leaf, 600-Game Veteran, And All-Star Wants To Return To Play After Injury-Riddled Season

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Daniel Lucente
December 22, 2024  (12:23)
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John Klingberg seen in a game with the Toronto Maple Leafs
Photo credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Steven Senne

John Klingberg has suffered a ton of injuries over the last few years, and despite him not being signed this offseason, he's started skating again and wants to play.

In the 2010 NHL Draft, the Dallas Stars took a real risk in selecting Swedish defenseman John Klingberg in the fifth round, and boy, did it pay off for the franchise.

John Klingberg became a stalwart on the Stars' back end, playing 552 games over eight seasons, but since being dealt his career has seen stops in Anaheim, Minnesota, and Toronto where he's struggled to find his groove like he had during his time in Dallas.

Klingberg dealt with a lot of adversity in his first season with the Maple Leafs, including missing time due to a hip injury that called into question his NHL future at 32 years old.

Now, via Elliotte Friedman, it appears Klingberg is trying to make his way back. He's expected to start skating with a junior team with the hope he can be back in the NHL by the end of January.

"Sometime after Christmas, he's going to resume skating with a junior team."

- Elliotte Friedman


With over 630 games of NHL experience, Klingberg could be a player of interest for teams looking to add some depth to their blue line.

In his last full healthy season, 2022-23, he put up 10 goals and 33 points in 67 games with Anaheim and Minnesota, though a combined -25 showed the challenges on defense.

He had a really bad, injury-shortened affair in Toronto, but he could still show flashes of offensive capability.

The market for a 32-year-old defenseman coming off a tough, injury-riddled season is very uncertain.

Much will depend on Klingberg's health and readiness, but his possible return is a storyline to keep an eye on as teams prepare for the stretch run and Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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Former Maple Leaf, 600-Game Veteran, And All-Star Wants To Return To Play After Injury-Riddled Season

Will John Klingberg be playing again in the NHL this season?

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