When the Edmonton Oilers signed defenseman John Klingberg this season, many saw it as a low-risk, high-reward move. A skilled puck-moving defender with past offensive success at a budget-friendly contract sounded like a good deal. But now that Klingberg has been placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR), it’s clear the gamble didn’t pay off.
Klingberg on LTIR: A Move Made for Roster Flexibility
Klingberg was moved to LTIR this week, which allowed the Oilers to activate Noah Philp for their game against the St. Louis Blues. While this helps with short-term roster management, it doesn’t change how the signing of Klingberg is now being viewed—more like a miss than a smart pickup.
He played just 11 games this season, scoring one goal and four points. If his season is indeed over, it’s safe to say his time with the Oilers has been forgettable.
Injuries Have Affected Klingberg’s Impact
Klingberg has dealt with injuries for the past few seasons. The Oilers hoped he could provide offensive depth from the blue line, but with Evan Bouchard already in the lineup, Klingberg wasn’t going to see much power-play time.
Then, the Oilers brought in Jake Walman at the trade deadline, pushing Klingberg even further down the depth chart. With no clear timeline for recovery, it’s unlikely Klingberg will return in time to help during the playoffs.
Could the Oilers Have Spent That Money Better?
The bigger issue isn’t just Klingberg’s poor impact—it’s what the Oilers could have done instead with the $1.75 million cap hit. That money could have helped address more urgent needs such as:
- A reliable stay-at-home defenseman
- A 1B option in goal
- A top-six forward
In a season where cap space is tight, every signing matters. The Klingberg signing limited the Oilers’ ability to explore other valuable trade opportunities, especially at the deadline.
Missed Opportunities: Who Else Could They Have Got?
Some interesting names were linked to the Oilers before the trade deadline:
Brad Marchand
Though the Bruins eventually sent him to Florida, there were rumors that Edmonton had some level of interest. With the right offer, a salary-retained deal could’ve been possible.
John Gibson
The veteran goalie from Anaheim was reportedly open to joining the Oilers. With a third team helping retain salary, he might have been a realistic target.
Ryan Donato
Donato was on Edmonton’s radar, but Chicago chose to keep him. He would have been a decent addition to the Oilers’ top-six group.
Pius Suter
Vancouver’s Suter, a solid penalty killer with 24 goals and 45 points this season, could have been a good rental at just $1.6 million. But the Oilers didn’t have the cap flexibility to make such a move.
In hindsight, the John Klingberg signing simply didn’t work out for the Edmonton Oilers. While it seemed like a smart depth move at the time, his injuries, limited ice time, and low impact have made it more of a mistake. Most importantly, the cap space used on him could have gone towards more pressing needs—whether that was a defensive upgrade, a backup goalie, or extra scoring help. In a tight season where every dollar matters, the Oilers may have paid a bigger price than expected for this gamble.
