The Anaheim Ducks have signed defenseman John Klingberg to a one-year contract. The deal is worth $7 million and comes just a day after he moved on to a new agent. One of the biggest free agent options on the market, reports are that the bigger-money, long-term contract he was looking for wasn’t out there. He gets closer to the dollar figure he wanted, but not the term.
Sean Shapiro of The Athletic writes, “Klingberg had been looking for Seth Jones type deal, which no one was able/willing to offer. Ducks became his best option for $$, but term was never going to be something Ducks wanted when they can potentially use this as way to buy pick/prospect at deadline.”
Klingberg is a top-four offensive defenceman who’s one of the best puck movers in the NHL but struggles at times defensively. He is seemingly betting on himself to have a better all-around season and get paid next summer when he gets the opportunity to test free agency again.
He will be a power-play quarterback for the Ducks and a huge part of their overall offense this coming season. His story in Anaheim will be an intriguing one to watch because he could play well enough that the Ducks feel confident to offer an extension, or they see this as an opportunity to move a player who will be sought after when the trade deadline hits, should Klingberg produce at a high level.
Klingberg recorded six goals and 41 assists in 74 games last season.
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