If the Edmonton Oilers are looking to lighten the load on Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard, John Klingberg is the kind of summer swing that fits the conversation.
The defenseman remains unsigned, and if that lasts, Edmonton could do worse than circling back on an offensive blueliner who can help a second power-play unit do real damage. The Oilers have made it clear they want more scoring spread through the lineup next season, and that means finding more than just the usual stars to drive offense when the top guys aren’t on the ice.
Klingberg isn’t the safest name on the board, and nobody is pretending he is. His game has changed after double hip resurfacing surgery in 2024, but the offensive tools are still there.
As Chris Johnston of The Athletic writes, “Klingberg may not move as well as he once did after double hip resurfacing surgery in 2024, but he’s shown that his offensive instincts are still intact, scoring 10 goals this past season with San Jose. Klingberg’s biggest strengths are a booming shot and an ability to move the puck quickly and effectively.
He can help out a power play, too.”
That kind of profile is exactly why he keeps coming up in these discussions. He can quarterback a power play, and on the blue line there are only so many players who can change a man-advantage the way he can. Edmonton already has a decent top-six, so this would be about adding another layer, not trying to reinvent the roster.
The fit gets more interesting because Klingberg was already with the Oilers during the 2024-25 season, appearing in 11 regular-season games and 19 more in the playoffs. He made $4 million with the San Jose Sharks this past season, but San Jose chose not to bring him back and instead added Darnell Nurse and Jacob Trouba.
The downside is obvious. Klingberg has never been known for his defensive work, and skating and foot speed remain the biggest concerns. Still, he scored 10 goals and finished with 27 points in 56 games for the Sharks last season, which is enough production to make a team pause.
So the real question is price. If Klingberg is waiting on a specific number, Edmonton probably isn’t the landing spot. If the market is thin and he’s open to a cheaper prove-it deal or even a PTO, then the Oilers could have a sensible low-risk option on their hands.
Does he make sense on a $2 million deal?