Defense Dominos Could Fall if Klingberg Winds Up With Seattle Kraken

Defenseman John Klingberg is in the news this week, not only because of an injury that will keep him out of the lineup for the final games of the regular season for the Dallas Stars but because of offseason chatter involving the pending UFA and where he’ll end up, should he not re-sign with the Stars.

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There was speculation that Klingberg was likely to be traded before this year’s NHL Trade Deadline. It’s a good thing the Stars elected to hang onto him because they worked themselves into a playoff position and his production will be critical to any success they might have. At the same time, not trading him likely means he’ll be leaving for nothing during the summer and signing elsewhere with another franchise.

Most people seem to believe that will be the Seattle Kraken.

Eric Engels and Jeff Marek of Sportsnet, both discussed Klingberg’s potential future plans and both seem seem to think Klingberg is destined for Seattle. They badly would like to sign a power play quarterback, have the money he’s seeking on a long-term deal and Dallas isn’t going to match.

Let The Defense Dominos Fall

What could come afterward is an interesting game of dominos with some of the league’s bigger blue line names that there have been rumors about. If Seattle winds up with Klingberg, the Stars will need someone. That someone could be Jeff Petry who looked much better in the last 20 games of the season after a terrible start. If Petry leaves Montreal (traded), the Canadiens might make a pitch for Kris Letang out of Pittsburgh. He’s seeking a new extension and a longer-term deal than the Penguins are rumored to be offering. If the Penguins lose Letang, it’s not clear who they’ll go after, but maybe they’ll look at someone like Tyson Barrie out of Edmonton.

As for Klingberg’s involvement with the Stars this season, and his injury status: it’s a lower-body issue according to head Rick Bowness. Joel Hanley is in while Klingberg sits and the talk is this is more precautionary. Klingberg will be ready for the playoffs.

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