Defenseman John Klingberg had not played an NHL game since November 2023 after needing to have hip surgery. Even with not playing an NHL game in over 14 months, Klingberg was ready to return to play.
This past Tuesday, hockey insider Darren Dreger tweeted that the Ottawa Senators were one of the teams interested in Klingberg. Adding Klingberg would've brought in experience, experience and a boost to the powerplay.
While the 2022-23 season and 2023-24 season had struggles for Klingberg, he made his presence known offensively with the Dallas Stars from 2014-2022. But, Klingberg will not be wearing the red and black of the Senators. Instead, Klingberg will be going to Canada for a different NHL team.
Klingberg to join Oilers
This afternoon, hockey insider Elliotte Friedman tweeted that Klingberg will be joining the Edmonton Oilers. For the Senators to lose out on Klingberg to another team in Canada, it might be a stinger.
Klingberg to Edmonton
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 17, 2025
At 32 years old, Klingberg is back, but the Senators may have missed out on an opportunity to bring more depth to their defensemen. Thomas Chabot missed yesterday's game against the Washington Capitals due to an injury. Travis Hamonic and Jacob Bernard-Docker are both out with injuries. Artem Zub has also missed significant time on two different occasions this season with injuries.
The good thing about the Oilers signing Klingberg is the Senators don't have to face the Oilers for the remainder of this season. The Senators fell in both games against the Oilers this season. In the first meeting, the Senators fell 5-2 in Ottawa on Nov. 19. In the second meeting, the Senators fell 3-1 in Edmonton on Dec. 22.