Defenceman John Klingberg will play for his sixth different team in five seasons, signing a one-year, $4-million contract with the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old from Gothenburg, Sweden, spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Dallas Stars before signing a one-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks in July 2022. He was traded to the Minnesota Wild before the deadline and signed another one-year contract the following summer with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
His tenure in Toronto lasted only 14 games due to a hip injury, and he underwent season-ending surgery in December 2024.
Klingberg became a free agent again last summer but remained unsigned until January, when he joined the Edmonton Oilers for the rest of the season. He recorded four points (one goal, three assists) in 11 games during the regular season and posted identical offensive numbers in 19 games during the playoffs as the Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Final.
Klingberg was drafted in the fifth round, 131st overall, by the Stars in 2010. He became known for his offensive prowess, scoring 10 or more goals on four occasions during his first five seasons in the league.
He has 416 points (82 goals, 334 assists) in 644 career games with the Stars, Ducks, Wild, Maple Leafs and Oilers.
sj