Are Edmonton Oilers a frontrunner for Klingberg? NHL insider thinks so
The Edmonton Oilers could be adding a new defenceman to their roster sooner rather than later.
Following reports earlier this week that the Oilers were among a list of teams interested in signing UFA defenceman John Klingberg, it appears Edmonton may be the frontrunner. TSN’s Darren Dreger followed up his initial report on Klingberg this morning in which he called the Oilers a “primary target.”
“Some feel the Oilers now a primary target,” Dreger wrote. “Too soon to say.”
Refreshing the Klingberg watch. As reported last night, 5-7 teams very interested in his return. Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa in the mix. Also hearing the Dallas Stars are in the chase as well. Colorado? Some feel the Oilers now a primary target. Too soon to say.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 15, 2025
It appears a bidding war could ensue for Klingberg’s services as a list of teams have reported interest. Apart from the Oilers, Dreger also mentioned the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Dallas Stars, and Colorado Avalanche as teams interested in signing the Swedish defenceman.
“Five to seven teams very interested in his return,” Dreger also reported. “Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa in the mix. Also hearing the Dallas Stars are in the chase as well. Colorado?”
This would be a signing that carries a little bit of risk as the 33-year-old is coming off hip-resurfacing surgery that has prevented him from playing this season. He is also coming off a disappointing 14-game campaign with the Leafs last year.
Oilers GM Stan Bowman was expected to acquire a defenceman at some point this season before the trade deadline. Adding Klingberg would mean that the Oilers would not have to give up any assets to do so, though it’s unclear whether or not he could help the team bolster their top four.
At one point in his career, Klingberg would have been a huge addition, but a combination of injuries and lacklustre play has seen his stock plummet in recent years.
What this new report indicates is that players are now seeing the Oilers as a premier destination to play in this league, a development that is rather new for the snowy Alberta capital. Edmonton is among the best teams in the NHL this season and players searching for a Stanley Cup have taken notice.
Any contract signed between the Oilers and Klingberg will have to be kept relatively low to give the team as much flexibility as possible going into the trade deadline. Whether or not that can work for Klingberg’s camp remains to be seen.