John Klingberg’s addition to the Edmonton Oilers in January marked a late-season move to strengthen the team’s defensive depth during the 2023-24 campaign. After missing much of the season because of a double hip resurfacing surgery, Klingberg arrived on a one-year contract as a reclamation project with tempered expectations. Despite limited game time, Klingberg’s right-handed defense brought valuable experience and stability to the Oilers’ blue line, which is crucial for enduring the demands of a lengthy playoff run. His performance reflected both the risk the Oilers took and the potential reward of bolstering their roster.
Impactful Performance Under Challenging Circumstances
Klingberg faced considerable challenges due to his extended absence from the ice, having not played in over 14 months prior to joining Edmonton. Nevertheless, he managed to contribute steadily across 11 regular-season games by recording one goal and four points while averaging over 17 minutes of ice time per game. His presence became even more significant in the playoffs, where he maintained solid output with another goal and four points during 19 games, and increased his average ice time to just over 19 minutes. These statistics highlight his ability to shoulder responsibility despite his recent recovery.
A key factor in his postseason role was his effective partnership with Jake Walman. Together, they shared the most consistent 5-on-5 ice time among Oilers defense pairs, accumulating nearly 214 minutes. This pairing ranked fifth in playoff 5-on-5 minutes among all defense duos, demonstrating their stability and growing chemistry. Klingberg’s dependable performances led to the displacement of Ty Emberson and Troy Stecher from the lineup over time, emphasizing his role as a dependable contributor.
Evaluating Klingberg’s Contribution Throughout the Season
Klingberg’s regular-season form showed a gradual improvement curve. Initially, his effectiveness was limited, reflecting the challenges of reintegrating after a long medical layoff. This adjustment period is reflected in the modest regular-season grade of C-, acknowledging his adequate but not standout impact on the Oilers’ defensive unit given his restricted 11-game sample.
During the playoffs, Klingberg found greater consistency, playing meaningful minutes and contributing to key games, such as scoring in the Oilers’ dominant 6-1 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final. Although this goal came in a low-pressure scenario late in the game, it underscored his ability to add offensive support when needed. Despite being scratched three times to allow for lineups emphasizing physical grit, Klingberg’s presence was still preferred over some peers, earning him a respectable playoff grade of C. He was neither a standout star nor a liability, but rather a solid and reliable member of the defensive core.
Skills and Fit Within Edmonton’s Style of Play
John Klingberg’s performance exceeded the cautious expectations set by his injury background. His puck-moving skills and transitional play suited the Oilers’ fast-paced, puck-control system well, where defensemen breaking out the puck cleanly and delivering precise first passes to forwards is essential. Known for his smooth skating, concern existed about his mobility post-surgeries, but his skating remained above average, allowing him to fulfill his role effectively. Overall, the Oilers benefited from his ability to blend defensive responsibility with offensive support, confirming his value as a serviceable NHL defenseman with a C grade for the season.
Next Steps for Klingberg and the Oilers
Following his stint with the Oilers, Klingberg secured a one-year, $4 million contract with the San Jose Sharks, a rebuilding team seeking veteran leadership and power-play help. His time with Edmonton demonstrated he could still perform at a high level despite significant physical setbacks, potentially providing him with renewed confidence moving forward. For the Oilers, Klingberg’s contribution reinforced the importance of adding experienced depth to the defense, a strategy that will likely remain a priority in upcoming seasons to support their playoff ambitions.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is John Klingberg any good?
A. Klingberg has excellent control over the puck and skates well. He has scored 40 or more points in six seasons. His skills greatly enhance the Oilers’ defense.
Q. Is John Klingberg a good player?
A. He played well. Klingberg had his top season in 2017-18 with the Dallas Stars, getting 8 goals and 59 assists over 82 games. That wasn’t his only standout year. Throughout his career, Klingberg has earned 412 points in 633 regular-season games and 39 additional points in 69 playoff games.