Former Maple Leafs Defenseman and All-Star Eyes NHL Comeback, per Elliotte Friedman
A former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman and all-star is eyeing a comeback to the NHL, according to Elliotte Friedman.
Last year, one of the biggest disappointments for the Toronto Maple Leafs was to see John Klingberg, who signed a one-year, $4,150,000 contract with the Leafs in 2023.
Klingberg was limited to 14 games with the Leafs in 2023 before an injury forced him to miss the rest of the season. Nonetheless, he did score five points in that time.
Reports confirmed that the defenseman had to undergo hip surgery, the same that Patrik Kane went through a few years ago.
Now, Elliotte Friedman revealed that Klingberg is officially looking to come back to the NHL, training with the same people who helped Patrick Kane get back on his feet.
Friedman added that he will resume skating with a junior team shortly after Christmas, likely in January.
Here's what the insider reported Saturday night in an intervention on Hockey Night in Canada:
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 is hoping to come back to the NHL."
Klingberg, 32, was drafted 131st overall by the Dallas Stars in 2010. In the eight seasons he completed as a member of the Stars, he was named on the all-star team in 2018 and finished twice in the top-6 finalists for the Norris Trophy.
If he can get back to his former self after the surgery, the defenseman could play an important role for a team looking to make strides in the playoffs, or a young team looking to develop.
