The Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars join Toronto as contenders for Klingberg, who is recovering from hip resurfacing surgery he underwent in late 2023. He last signed a one-year, $4.15 million deal with Toronto in 2023 after a season split between the Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild.

The Maple Leafs missed out on a golden opportunity to add some offensive punch and depth to their blueline as John Klingberg decided to sign with Canadian rival.

Klingberg signed a one-year, $4.15 million contract with the Maple Leafs on July 1, 2023, after playing the 2022-23 season with the Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild. The defenseman played 14 games with Toronto — scoring four assists and averaging 20:33 of ice time — before undergoing hip surgery.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are favorites to sign former All-Star defenseman John Klingberg, according to Darren Dreger.

Klingberg hasn't played an NHL game since being in the lineup for Toronto vs. the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 11, 2023.

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, free agent defenceman John Klingberg is nearing a return, and the Ottawa Senators are one of the teams that has expressed interest in signing the player. The 32-year-old right-shot defenceman has not played since being placed on long-term injured reserve on November 23,

The Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly expressed interest in former Leaf John Klingberg. The Swedish defenceman hasn’t played an NHL game in over a year.

Dreger listed the Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, and Edmonton Oilers as key teams to watch as Klingberg nears a decision. The Maple Leafs originally signed Klingberg to just a one-