*Photo from the Hockey Writers*
On the market again, he went to Canada this time. Defenseman John Klingberg and the Toronto Maple Leafs have agreed to a one year, $4.5 million contract, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. The Maple Leafs have confirmed the signing.
Signing a one year contract last offseason, Klingberg hit the open market again on Saturday with the opening of free agency. The veteran right shot defenseman opted for the same approach, signing a one year deal, taking a slight pay drop from a $7 million salary last season.
Last season, Klingberg played for the Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild after signing a deal with the Ducks. Klingberg scored 10 goals and contributed 23 assists, averaging 20:37 of ice time while posting a -25 rating in 67 games. He had one goal and 3 assists in 4 playoff games.
With Justin Holl leaving in free agency, the Maple Leafs had a vacancy on the right side of their defense, which Klingberg fills. At the trade deadline last year, he was dealt to the Wild for a 2025 4th round pick, Andrej Sustr, and Nikita Nesterenko.
Klingberg has played for the Dallas Stars, Ducks, and Wild in his NHL career. Klingberg has 81 goals, 326 assists, and 407 total points under his belt. He's averaged 22:44 of ice time while notching a -33 rating over 619 regular season games. Klingberg has an additional 8 goals and 31 assists over 63 playoff games.
The addition of Klingberg is the first notable addition of the offseason for the Maple Leafs and new GM Brad Treliving. The Maple Leafs were eliminated in 5 games in the second round of the playoffs by the Florida Panthers.
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