The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Thursday that defenseman John Klingberg has been placed on long-term injured reserve. Klingberg was signed to a one-year, $4.15 million contract in the offseason. This injury appeared to have hampered his production thus far this season. There was no word on whether he will have surgery or when he will be able to return. However, the 31-year-old has a history of hip problems.
With a hip injury, John Klingberg has been placed on long-term injury reserve.
We’ve all heard how painful hip injuries can be for hockey players. Klingberg had double hip surgery in 2014, and recovery would be more difficult at this point. He had missed the previous two games prior to this decision. This is unfortunate news for Klingberg, and we’ll have to wait and see what happens next for him and the Leafs.
The ten-year NHL veteran, John Klingberg, aka The Ghost of Gothenburg, came over to the Leafs in free agency in the summer. He had struggled the last couple of NHL campaigns prior to this one, despite maintaining modest levels of point production. In 2021-22, he chipped in 47 points in 74 games with the Dallas Stars. Last year, split between the Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild, he totaled 33 points through 67 games. In contrast, as had been the trend for a few years now, his defensive point share (DPS) was down. Last year it was just 1.4 and the year prior it was 2.3. If you look back to his career-high in 2017-18 with the Stars, he was at 5.1. The Leafs were hoping that Klingberg would return to the form of his previous self, but it had been a slow start. Thus far, in 2023-24, his DPS is recorded as 0.0 through 14 games played.
What Does This Mean for General Manager Brad Treliving and the Leafs
For the Maple Leafs, this leaves a hole to fill on the backend. Luckily for them, defenceman Conor Timmins is ready to return from the LTIR himself. Timmins had been there after suffering a lower-body injury in training camp. Now, he will be able to take over for Klingberg. Moreover, this frees up additional dollars for the Leafs management to work with in cap space. If we don’t count Timmins’ $1.1 M, capfriendly.com lists the Leafs as having $15.8 M in LTIR cap relief. Heading it to Friday night’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks, they are potentially fielding a 23-man roster for the first time in 2023-24. That is a nice option to have, to rotate players in and out of the lineup, but also security in terms of short-term injuries.
This also gives the management options in terms of where to spend the LTIR relief money. They have around $3 M in relief space to use up, depending on who they call up. Is this enough money to make a push for the big pending free agent signing, Patrick Kane? Or will Brad Treliving and his group, take the safer bet, and look for a defensive depth player for the playoff grind?
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