Now that the free agency situations of Josh Manson, Darcy Kuemper, and Ryan Strome have been examined, it’s time to move on to another big name set to headline this offseason’s free agent market: John Klingberg. This is Klingberg’s seventh and final season on the deal worth nearly $30MM that he signed after he finished his entry-level contract. The only NHL club Klingberg has known, the Dallas Stars, have given out major contracts to both Esa Lindell and Miro Heiskanen on their blueline. Additionally, the Stars’ cap situation is further complicated by the fact that Tyler Seguin has a $9.85MM cap hit through 2026-2027 and Jamie Benn costs $9.5MM through 2024-25. The point of mentioning those names is to show that the Stars already have major money committed to their team going into the future, which makes Klingberg’s situation an interesting one.
It is made even more interesting by the contracts still yet to come. Jason Robertson is a restricted free agent this offseason, and Roope Hintz becomes one after next season. Given how those two players are going to be major pillars of the Stars’ future, it’s likely the team would prefer to pursue long-term extensions with each. Therefore, a Klingberg extension in Dallas seems highly unlikely.
That unlikeliness is made even more extreme by the kind of contract Klingberg is reportedly set to look for this offseason. According to Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek, Klingberg is seeking a maximum-term deal worth around $8MM per year. With all of those factors in play, it is highly unlikely that Klingberg can receive that deal from the Stars. So, he will hit likely free agency and be among the top defensemen on the market.
In an offseason market, a player like Klingberg can be rare. Players traditionally signed in free agency are older, declining, and lacking in dynamic talent. While Klingberg, 29, isn’t young anymore, he isn’t nearing the end of his playing days either. Klingberg is a highly productive offensive defenseman and has posted 43 points in 65 games this season, which is a 54-point pace. He isn’t known for his defensive game and shouldn’t be an all-situations minute-eater like many coaches covet, but as a defenseman for the modern NHL, there are few more dangerous than Klingberg.
So, with all that in mind, the main question surrounding Klingberg will likely end up being about how much NHL clubs value offense-first defensemen nearing the age of 30. Dougie Hamilton got $9MM AAV from the Devils this past offseason but did it as a 28-year-old free agent. Klingberg will be 30 when next season starts and has not had as strong of a season as Hamilton had in his platform year. Will a team see enough value in Klingberg for him to get the contract he desires? Or will Klingberg’s foray into free agency prove to be a disappointment? Like with many major free agents, it could come down to not necessarily what he signs for, but where he signs his contract. Regardless, his time on the free agent market will be one of the marquee storylines during this offseason.
I have to imagine Klingberg is the Pens’ backup plan if Letang leaves. Not sure where else they’d find a plausible right shot top pair D man.
$8 mil per for more than 5 years would not be very smart on a 30yo player.
Whoever said NHL GMs were smart?
Someone will snag Klingberg butat 7 x $8M they will definitely have buyer’s remorse!
A smart GM will feign an interest in him just to drive up the price to a rival. LOL
He is a good player but the team that ends up giving him that kind of cash will regret it.
As a GM $7.5mil per x 4 years would be my offer to him & it would be available for 5 days max.
… and his agent would laugh at you and hang up the phone.
SOMEone will give him that max term for max money. Obviously it’d be a stupid long-term move — heck, it’d be a stupid MEDIUM-term move. But someone will do it.
At least it’ll free up cash to fill out the roster — they only have 15 NHL contracts signed for next year, and Oettinger will want to get paid too. But man, could they have gotten a haul for Klingberg at the deadline, an opportunity they blew to chase a playoff berth they still might not get.
Yeah, as much as I love Pavelski I’d say the same about him. They could’ve got some solid pieces for him also.
Even Rads may have gotten them a mid round pick.
I don’t understand chasing the playoffs this year when we look the way we do.
I’m never one to promote tanking, but there is a difference between icing a competitive team and shedding older guys and/or UFAs and going full team tank. With Roope, Robo, Miro and Oetter we would still be plenty competitive without a few of those older guys.
Exactly! The Peg and Nucks also had a about the same chance, but they traded some of their soon to be UFA’s.
I was thinking the same at the time, Modified; heaven knows Pavelski can still bring it, and someone would have given the Stars plenty for him. At least at his age, though, they may well have given him the option to decide whether he was up for being traded or not.
A “young” team like the Sabres could be interested in getting an experienced dman to help with the development of its young stars, Dahlin and Power. But they would need a short term fix, not a long term contract.
A team like the Jets could go long term but couldn’t take the cap hit of 8 M$.
Vegas is always prepared to sign contracts like the one Klingberg is seeking ;)
Or maybe … the Kraken?
Pens will sign Letang for 7M$x5 long before they sign Klingberg for 8M$x7.
Unless he’s marrying some GM’s daughter, no way Klingberg gets a higher AAV than Letang.
(shrugs) Age matters. I agree that Letang right now is a better defenseman, but who’s going to decline harder and sooner: him or Klingberg? Letang’s five years older and has a LOT more mileage on him — counting playoffs, he’s played nearly 500 more games.
Then you factor in that Letang’s not only likely to go for a hometown discount, Pittsburgh’s in trouble if he doesn’t. Team’s only got 13 players under NHL contract next year.
Letang’s not getting 8 million into his 40’s lol