Is John Klingberg the missing piece for the Edmonton Oilers defense?
Photo credit: NHL
It's been several days since the Edmonton Oilers signed John Klingberg as a free agent and the organization remains optimistic about his impact on the team.
He fills a big need as a right-handed defenseman with good puck-moving ability and veteran experience.
Klingberg made his Oilers debut against the Detroit Red Wings and played 16:39 of ice time.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch praised his play despite his long absence of the NHL.
"Better than what we expected. You know, he hasn't played for 14, 15, months"
Knoblauch said of Klingberg's 16:39 of work against the Red Wings.
"We're looking for a guy that can move the puck. The best defence is a good offence. Spending time on the offensive zone, I think he helps tremendously in that."
- Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch
Knoblauch said of Klingberg's 16:39 of work against the Red Wings.
"We're looking for a guy that can move the puck. The best defence is a good offence. Spending time on the offensive zone, I think he helps tremendously in that."
- Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch
Klingberg's skating and passing were impressive and he had a wild breakout move in the first period that caught fans' attention.
Klingberg has undergone multiple hip surgeries throughout his career and expressed relief at playing pain-free for the first time in years.
"I went into this open-minded," said the Gothenburg native, who had double hip surgery at age 18, again at 21, and then one more time last year.
"I know I've been skating for a while but it's always different when you come in and play a game. I feel like with the puck I made some clean breakouts and took care of the 0puck (against Detroit). But without the puck I need to put a little more timing into it with gaps and reading off the team and stuff like that. It was an OK first game."
- John Klingberg
His potential success could influence the Oilers' approach at the trade deadline and If he can stabilize their blue line, Edmonton may shift focus toward upgrading their top-six forward group.
With few weeks remaining until the March 7 deadline, the Oilers have time to evaluate their needs.
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