Top Landing Spots For Free Agent John Klingberg
Klingberg just finished a one-year, $4 million deal with the San Jose Sharks, posting 10 goals, 17 assists, and 27 points in 79 games during his healthiest season in years.
Heading into free agency, AFP Analytics projected him to land a two-year deal worth around $5.15 million annually, but that contract never materialized.
Per Pro Hockey Rumors, given that he is still dealing with some injury concerns, Klingberg is likely due for another one-year deal in the $2.5 million to $3.5 million range, potentially with games-played bonuses attached. That lower price point opens the door for competitive teams. Here are the top landing spots.
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks are a natural fit and could comfortably fit Klingberg's projected price.
Anaheim reached the playoffs under Joel Quenneville and lost several veteran defensemen this offseason, including John Carlson to Tampa Bay and Radko Gudas to Florida, leaving genuine holes on the right side of the blue line.
Klingberg has familiarity with the organization, having played there during the 2022-23 season before being traded to Minnesota.
His ability to quarterback a power play would give the ascending Ducks a veteran presence to complement their young core.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning are another team Pro Hockey Rumors identified as a comfortable fit.
Tampa Bay remains a contender built around Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman, and Andrei Vasilevskiy, and adding a puck-mover like Klingberg on a cheap one-year deal would deepen the blue line for another postseason push.
His offensive instincts and power-play acumen would fit a Lightning team that thrives with skilled defensemen who can move the puck and jumpstart the transition game.
