Klingberg’s offensive ability will be displayed alongside an already-established top Toronto power-play squad.

The Toronto Maple Leafs worked on special teams for the first time since opening training camp on Saturday and the top power-play unit had a new look.

John Klingberg — whom the club signed to a one-year, $4.15 million contract this past summer — ran point on the top unit alongside forwards Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares.

"Klinger's had a lot of success in that position over his career so we just want to use this as an opportunity to help Klinger get comfortable and there's no better way to do that be with our best people," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of the move. "We get a good sample of what that looks like with him in that position."

The 31-year-old defenseman scored 10 times and added 23 assists in 67 games last season that was split between the Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild.

Toronto had the second-best power play last season and was the best in the NHL the season before that. But the Maple Leafs want to get a good look at what the 6-foot-3 Swede can bring while playing with some of top offensive players in the NHL.

"We talked about what my role would be and where I’d fit in right away," Klingberg recalled about his discussions with Toronto before signing as a free agent."That (PP1) I didn’t know. But having a chance to play with world-class players was a huge thing." 

Toronto's second power-play unit, however, could be stronger than it has been in quite some time. Morgan Rielly, who moved down to the second unit, skated with newcomers Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi. Calle Jarnkrok and defenseman Timothy Liljegren also got reps on PP2.

Rielly doesn't see this as any sort of demotion. In fact, he had been down this road before.

During the 2021 season, Rasmus Sandin was called up to the Maple Leafs last in the season and began taking reps at PP1 while Rielly moved down to the second unit. It wasn't until there was a change who ran the power play the following season that Rielly was reinstalled into the top spot.

In this situation, Rielly knows exactly what Klingberg brings and is on board.

'I think it's great," Rielly said Saturday. "I've watched John play the power play for years now and I think his patience and puck skills are unmatched. To add him to a group that has those forwards is a unique opportunity."

It was Rielly who also went to the coaching staff during the 2019-2020 season when defenseman Tyson Barrie was struggling and offered up his PP1 spot to the offensive defenseman to get him back on track.

Klingberg's booming shot and play-making ability are what has made the defenseman a dynamic offensive player. It also helps that the Swede played forward until the age of 14 when both his father and grandfather encouraged him to switch to defense.

"They thought if I see the ice ahead of me it’s a better way for me to play," Klingberg said. "I’ve been able to find those passing plays and move up the puck my entire career. Even as a forward. Obviously, I’m happy they convinced me to switch."

There's a new look on the power play in addition to the personnel. Assistant coach Guy Boucher ran his first power-play for the Leafs on Saturday. In his coaching arsenal was some fluorescent orange lines spray painted around the faceoff dots to aid in some positioning. 

"He wants to add to that but maybe add little bit more element to creating chaos in front of the net," Klingberg offered up in Boucher’s strategy

There are questions about Klingberg’s game from a defensive standpoint, but starting out on PP1 is a no-brainer. Despite Toronto proficiency in that spot, it’s hard to envision a scenario where the top unit performs worse than it did before. 

But if it does, they at least have a formation that works.

“It’s important to have options,” Keefe said. 

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