The Dallas Stars and John Klingberg failed to come to terms on a new contract, making the star defenseman a free agent this offseason. The 29-year-old should have a boatload of suitors on the open market, where he'll be among the top players at his position.
A potential first-line defender on most teams in the league, Klingberg could be one of the steals of free agency if he lands with the right team. Many teams across the league could use a player of his caliber, so it shouldn't take too long for his market to start to materialize.
Klingberg registered 47 points last season, which was the most among Stars defenders. While he hasn't been as sharp as in the earlier part of his career, a change of scenery could help him restore some of the former production that saw him record 67 points in 2017-18.
With all that in mind, here are the top destinations for John Klingberg in 2022 NHL free agency
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John Klingberg Free Agency Destinations
Even after the Alex DeBrincat trade, there's plenty of work to be done in order to make the Senators true playoff contenders. The defense will certainly have to be addressed, and bringing in the 29-year-old Klingberg could be an excellent move for the team. He's younger than Torey Krug, who is also potentially on the move this offseason, and the Senators wouldn't have to offload any assets to land Klingberg.
If Ottawa does look to bring in a veteran defender, Klingberg would be the obvious choice. They'd lock down a key veteran leader for the end of his prime, and he could help the young roster continue to develop ahead of their eventual playoff push.
The Canadiens went from a Stanley Cup Finalist to the worst team in hockey in just one season. Now, the rebuild is on, and one of hockey's most historic franchises likely won't want to spend too long as a bottomfeeder. A move to sign John Klingberg could vastly expedite their rebuild, while not taking away opportunities their promising youngsters, most of whom reside in the attacking third, including Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.
Montreal's 319 goals surrendered were far and away the most in hockey last year, so getting a proven defender like Klingberg to help steady the ship in the defensive third could go a long way for the Canadiens. Klingberg would immediately step into Montreal's first line and become a difference-maker from the get-go. Not to mention, the Canadiens have the cap space to present him with a generous offer.
The Kraken landed the top prize in the NHL Draft when Shane Wright fell into their lap at fourth overall. Seattle isn't planning to rush its buildup, having just debuted as a franchise last year. Adding Klingberg would be a big boost for the Kraken as they continue their rise in the league. The 29-year-old could serve in the first line alongside Jamie Oleksiak, or hit the second line as the left defenseman opposite Carson Soucy.
The Kraken don't figure to make a big leap to the playoffs just yet, but Klingberg is still only 29 so he has plenty of gas left in the tank. Assuming he signs a multi-year deal this offseason, he'll be a key cog in their development over the next few years and help the Kraken get established in the NHL.
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