August is just around the corner and the top defenseman on the free agent market still hasn’t signed. John Klingberg was ranked fifth on our Top 50 UFA list two weeks ago but he sits without a contract or a team for 2022-23. Now, likely due to frustration from how things have played out, Klingberg is changing representation. Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reports that Klingberg has parted ways with agent Peter Wallen and will now be represented by Newport Sports Management. PuckPedia adds that Craig Oster, one of the sport’s most influential agents, will take the lead for the free agent defenseman.
Oster has recently been responsible for several long-term extensions, including Matthew Tkachuk, Robert Thomas, Joshua Norris, and Kevin Fiala, and has other high-priced clients like Brady Tkachuk, Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone, and Tomas Hertl. In fact, his roster compares favorably to just about every other agent in the business and is a logical step for someone looking to score a big free agent contract.
Klingberg, 29, has been reportedly looking for a massive extension for months now, leading to frustration and trade speculation throughout the season. Renaud Lavoie of TVA sports tweets that at the start of free agency, the former Dallas Stars defenseman was looking for a seven-year deal with an average annual value of around $6MM. Landing something like that at this point in the summer might be tough but not impossible, as several teams still have the capacity to add that kind of salary.
Still, with Klingberg set to turn 30 in a few weeks and his game still carrying some of the defensive warts it always has, committing that kind of money to him would be a tough decision for any team. While his offensive production is still excellent–he registered 47 points in 74 games this season–a commitment of that length would carry substantial risk for teams looking to contend.
It remains to be seen whether this change will lead to a quick resolution, or if Klingberg will need to wait even longer to find out where he’s playing next season. At any rate, he has one of the biggest agencies in the business behind him now.
Yinzers wanted to get rid of Letang (coming off the best season of his career) to sign this clearance item.
Heh. Sounds like Klingberg drunk the Dallas Kool-Aid and presumed that he was a superstar worth a fistful of 1st rounders. Whoops!
Should have taken the Dallas offer!
I think it’s the term thing. Klingberg at 6 million for 5 years makes sense for a team. That’s a lot of money and Klingberg should appreciate it.
He’s about to turn 30. Five years does NOT make sense for a team, especially with his numbers declining from his peak. I’d grit my teeth at anything more than 6×3.
Don’t know if a team makes any more sense than Ottawa if he’s going to end up settling for a lower term high AAV deal. They absolutely need a top 4 RHD and he’s almost falling into their lap.
Maybe they are playing hard ball…knowing that there isn’t much of a market for him.
6×5 is my guess his max chance at the moment.
Nope. Habs need a RD with the Petry trade. If they can move Hoffman and something else, they could do it.
Yeah, but why? Montreal’s got rebuilding to do; they’re not competing for the playoffs in the next couple years anyway. Dumping (say) Hoffman to fit in Klingberg’s just opening up a hole to sorta-fill one, and it isn’t getting them back into the playoffs anyway.
Panthers on a cheap 1 year deal.
Anaheim literally has 30 million in Cap room. They should sign Klingberg and Kadri to 1yr deals at 10mil. They haven’t met the cap floor yet. It works out well for everyone involved as Kadri and Klingberg get a much higher AAV and could reenter the market next season $10mil richer and the Ducks should get solid returns for both players at the deadline to continue the rebuild by adding additional picks and/or prospects.