The defenseman had hip resurfacing surgery in the fall with an aim at returning to action next season.
The defenseman had hip resurfacing surgery in the fall with an aim at returning to action next season.
John Klingberg faces an uncertain 2024 after the Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman underwent bilateral hip surgery last fall, effectively shutting down his season.
In the latest installment of TSN's Insider Trading, TSN hockey insider Chris Johnston said the defenseman has begun his recovery process intending to attempt to resume his NHL career next season.
"He is a player that is going to try to work his way back once he gets to full health," Johnston said,
The Maple Leafs signed the 31-year-old to a one-year, $4.15 million contract in July but the defenseman was limited to just 14 games where he recorded five assists. In November, the club scratched the defenseman revealing that he was dealing with an injury that had lingered. He returned to the lineup for one game on Nov. 11 and attempted to come back for the club's pair of games in Stockholm, Sweden, but was unable to.
On Dec. 6, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving revealed that Klingberg was going to have season-ending hip surgery in New York.
According to Johnston, the procedure is similar to what Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane went through last year.
The defenseman will be an unrestricted free agent. He joined the Leafs to restore his career that had gone a bit south since his prime days with the Dallas Stars where he was a consistent points producer on the back end.
Klingberg was first-year GM Brad Treliving's big swing in terms of free agent defenseman who could play in Toronto's top four. Due to the injury and other factors, it didn't work out.
Treliving has indicated he's interested in bigger defensemen. Simon Benoit, a depth signing by Treliving late in the summer, has surprised many and has occupied a top-four spot with the Leafs as of late.
Klingberg and Benoit were teammates for parts of last season with the Anaheim Ducks.
The Leafs have just three defensemen (Morgan Rielly, Jake McCabe and Conor Timmins) committed beyond this season.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS0Bozhl2l8[/embed]
Related
Calling Toronto Home and Having a Dream: What It's Like to Play in the Maple Leafs Organization
News from THN.com
Related
THN Archive: New Avs Winger Parise Had Best Season with the New Jersey Devils
Screen Shots: Blues' New Identity, Devils' Coaching and NHL/NHLPA Assistance Program
NHL Sour Rankings: Bottom Five Teams Establish Themselves in the Race for Celebrini