John Klingberg was at his best during his time with the Dallas Stars and is now working hard to get back to that level with the Edmonton Oilers, despite having had surgery on his hips.
“It was a bit of a mess for a while, but I am really excited about where it is going, where the team is going and how my body is holding up with so many games, especially playing every second night,” Klingberg said on Monday. “My body is coping well and I feel it will keep improving. That is the most exciting part.”
Klingberg has been a pleasant surprise for Edmonton in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and will look to keep his good form against his old team in the Western Conference Final. The Oilers and Stars start their best-of-seven series with Game 1 at the American Airlines Center on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old defenceman spent his first eight seasons in the NHL with Dallas, developing into one of their top players on both attack and defence. He had six seasons scoring over 40 points, peaking with 67 points in 2017-2018.
“I am very happy for John,” said Stars general manager Jim Nill. “John and I have a great relationship. He was a big part of our team for many years and I watched him grow as a young player.
“I respect him a lot and to see what he has been through – the tough surgery – and to come back and now make an impact for them is great. He is a great player and one we will have to watch closely.”
Klingberg has three assists in 10 games this postseason for the Oilers, averaging just under 20 minutes on ice per game, often playing alongside Jake Walman. Together they have been one of Edmonton’s most reliable defensive pairings in the playoffs.
The Oilers took a chance on Klingberg and it is paying off. Signed as a depth defenceman on 17 January, he only played 11 games this season and missed 20 of the last 21 due to a foot injury suffered while blocking a shot.
He returned for Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs after a long recovery from the foot injury but is now a key part of the team. The Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said, “We knew he was a good player when we signed him, but his health was the question. You never know until you see how a player responds on the ice and gains confidence. It is working out well for us.”
Klingberg had been out of action for 13 months recovering from hip surgery. Chronic hip issues affected his play after leaving Dallas, with the Ducks, Wild and Maple Leafs.
He made his Oilers debut on 30 January and played 10 of 11 games before his foot injury.
General manager Stan Bowman said, “I was not surprised he could play this well but we did not know how quickly he would get back to his best. He was a good player for a long time and many of his skills are instinctive, but your body has to cooperate. He is at that point now and has been a great player for us.”
Klingberg says he feels as healthy as he did years ago, before his hips started troubling him.
He knows there is still work to do but believes he can help Edmonton get back to the Stanley Cup Final after last year’s narrow loss to the Florida Panthers.
The Oilers want to get past the Stars again in the conference final for the second year in a row.
“I am very excited. They are a really good team and have been for many years. Under coach Pete DeBoer they have taken it to another level. They are in the conference final for the third year running and that says a lot. They are strong and so are we. It will be a tough test but it will be fun,” said Klingberg.
Even his old teammates are happy to see him back. Dallas forward Jamie Benn said, “As friends, we know what he has been through. He has worked hard to get back. It is good to see him back on the ice and I cannot wait to try and run him.”
Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
