Edmonton Oilers
Klingberg Joins Oilers at Practice, Role Hints at Status vs. Capitals
John Klingberg joined the Edmonton Oilers at practice on Monday, but was used in a role that hints at his status Tuesday vs. the Capitals.
The newest Edmonton Oiler, John Klingberg, joined the team at practice on Monday. He skated in drills and participated in all activities, which is a good sign that he’s nearing a return to the NHL. But, he was slotted in an interesting role, hinting that the Oilers might be prepared to take their time with the defenseman. It’s not clear when he’ll get into game action.
TSN’s Ryan Rishaug was on hand and said that Klingberg skated as the extra defenseman, suggesting he likely won’t see action on Tuesday as the Oilers take on the Washington Capitals.
** Update: Head coach Kris Knoblauch says it’ll be at least a week before Klingberg plays.
Klingberg at Oilers practice today. Skating as extra defenceman. pic.twitter.com/gj1vrfmLCg
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) January 20, 2025
As per Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now, the lineups at practice were:
- RNH-McDavid-Hyman
- Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Arvidsson
- J. Skinner-Henrique-Brown
- Janmark-Philp-Perry/Kapanen
- Ekholm-Bouchard
- Nurse-Stecher
- Kulak-Emberson
- Klingberg
- S.Skinner
- Pickard
Anything can change between now and Tuesday’s game. This includes the deployment of forwards to defensemen as the team awaits the results of the hearing on Connor McDavid today. If McDavid is suspended, the Oilers will likely run with 12 forward versus the Capitals. If he’s not, Edmonton may go 11-7 just to get Klingberg in the lineup and working some heavily monitored shifts.
How Effective Will Klingberg Be? Will He Play vs. the Capitals?
The veteran defenseman looked solid with his skating, but the true measure of how ready he’ll be will come when the Oilers put him in the lineup. When games are the test, only then will Edmonton know if signing Klingberg was a good idea or a mistake.

The hope is that he’s got some of that old magic in him from his days as a Dallas Stars blueliner. He was an elite offensive defenseman in Dallas and the Oilers are looking for someone who can move the puck and accentuate the skills this team already has. If the Oilers aren’t going to be a shutdown, stifling team, they might as well go all in on moving the puck and offensive zone possession. They help Klingberg can help there.
Fans will learn in the next 24 hours if Klingberg will be playing versus the Capitals on Tuesday. There might be no McDavid versus Alex Ovechkin matchup, but watching the newest Oiler might be a silver lining for fans going to that game, assuming Klingberg plays.
Next: NHL Trade Talk Morning Roundup: McDavid Hearing, Habs & Senators
