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NHL free agency: Ranking the best defenseman options

By Marci Rubin

Apr 2, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov (9) hits New Jersey Devils defenseman Damon Severson (28) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov (9) hits New Jersey Devils defenseman Damon Severson (28) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 25, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman John Klingberg (3) in action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild in game five of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman John Klingberg (3) in action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild in game five of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Top UFA defenseman options: 5. John Klingberg

Age: 30
2022-23 team: Minnesota Wild

John Klingberg is an offensive defenseman with a lot of hockey sense. He was drafted by the Dallas Stars in 2010 and remained with the organization until he became a free agent in 2022. He signed a one-year $7 million contract last offseason with the Anaheim Ducks and was traded to the Minnesota Wild at the 2023 trade deadline. Klingberg is hitting free agency again, looking for a longer contract.

Klingberg is best paired with a defense-first blueliner, as he’ll take care of the offensive side of things. He played forward as a kid, but because of his lack of speed, he switched over to the role of defenseman as a teenager. When he was drafted, there were concerns about his smaller size, but the Dallas Stars took a chance on him, and it paid off. Klingberg has a feel for the game that not all players have.

In the 2022-23 regular season, Klingberg was not at his best. He scored 10 goals and made 23 assists, totaling 33 points. In 2021-22, he reached 47 points. One concern is that the defenseman struggles in his own zone, and he’s historically been on the ice for more goals against than for. His +/- this past season was -25. He still has plenty of upsides, as he’s useful on the power play and stays out of the penalty box. Klingberg blocked 84 shots during the regular season, his most blocks since 2017-18.

Like some other players on this list, it could be Klingberg’s last chance at a long-term contract. He will be 31 years old next season. The Minnesota Wild might want to keep Klingberg, but because of the Ryan Suter and Zach Parise buyouts from last offseason, they may not be able to.

Klingberg might not get as lucrative of a contract as he’s hoping for. With many teams eyeing the salary cap, signing an older player who has already shown signs of declining to a long, expensive deal can be risky. Klingberg could end up with a shorter, less expensive deal, but it should be longer than the one-year deal he received last offseason.

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