UFA Defenseman Still Feeling Effects of Worst Contract Decision in NHL History

John Klingberg quietly had one of his better seasons in years with the San Jose Sharks in 2025-26, posting 10 goals, 17 assists and 27 points while finishing second among Sharks defensemen in scoring. For a right-shot, puck-moving blueliner in a league where both of those attributes are coveted, it’s a bit shocking that he has yet to find a deal with a new team. In a long list of unsigned UFAs, Klingberg remains near the top as one of this summer’s surprises.

Why is Klingberg still a free agent? Two factors appear to be holding things up.

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The first is health. Klingberg, despite his production when he’s in the lineup, is often not in the lineup. Last season he played 56 games. The season before it was 11 (he joined the Edmonton Oilers late and wasn’t a regular). The season prior, with Toronto, he played 14. His best season in years was a 74-game campaign in 2021-22 with the Dallas Stars. Teams are wary of committing real term or money to a 33-year-old defenseman with a track record of being out of action.

The second could be price. It’s unclear what he’s asking for, but entering free agency, there was some speculation he might be looking for around $5 million per season. There’s virtually no chance he gets that. Even a $2.5-3.5 million per season deal seems far-fetched. He’s not 35, so a team can’t sign him to a bonus-heavy deal.

Is Klingberg Still Reeling From The Worst Contract Decision In NHL History?

This isn’t the first time Klingberg’s market has moved slower than expected. Back in 2021-22, he turned down an eight-year, $56 million extension offer from Dallas, holding out for more. It might go down as one of the biggest contract mistakes in NHL history. While some GMs have made massive blunders and signed players to deals that look terrible down the line, Klingberg might hold the distinction of turning down the best deal offered and having it backfire spectacularly.

No deal ever came, and he’s played on one-year contracts ever since.

As of late July, teams like Anaheim, Tampa Bay and San Jose were still floated as possible landing spots for a cheap addition on the power play. Most signs point to Klingberg signing somewhere before camps open — just later, and likely cheaper, than his season deserved.

Either that or he goes and plays internationally, with his NHL career potentially over.

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