Sheng Peng
What should the San Jose Sharks expect from John Klingberg next year?
There may not be a player on the roster with a wider range of realistic outcomes.
On one hand, because of hip issues, Klingberg has played just 25 regular season games over the last two years.
Worst-case scenario, Klingberg goes the way of Markus Nutivaara, another recent Sharks free agent signing, who never played a regular season game in teal because of his hip.
(Three years after his aborted San Jose campaign, Nutivaara is attempting a comeback in Finland.)
Best-case scenario? After inking a one-year, $4 million deal with the San Jose Sharks on Jul. 1, Klingberg said the most recent playoffs were the healthiest that he’s felt in at least five seasons.
Five years ago, Klingberg was still one of the premier offensive blueliners in the league and scoring at a 50-point pace.
Granted, Klingberg is 33 now, but between the worst and best-case scenarios, he can still be an impact player.
So what was Klingberg doing so well in the playoffs for the Edmonton Oilers, that makes San Jose so optimistic about him?
Klingberg’s counting stats don’t jump off the sheet: In 19 post-season appearances, he had one goal and four points, playing 19:08 a night.
It’s worth noting, because the Stanley Cup Final-bound Oilers already have a stud offensive blueliner in Evan Bouchard, that Klingberg wasn’t used on the top power play unit. No doubt, that affected Klingberg’s production.
Micro-stats from Stathletes give an under-the-hood look at what Klingberg might bring to the San Jose Sharks.
Slot Passes
Klingberg is a passer, not a shooter.
Among Oilers defensemen last playoffs, his 2.67 Shots Per 60 at 5-on-5 was less than half of Bouchard’s team-leading 6.34.
But his passing rate is much closer to Bouchard’s. Klingberg’s 85.0 Successful Passes Per 60 at 5-on-5 was second among blueliners, behind Bouchard’s 93.7.
In particular, Klingberg was able to get the puck into dangerous areas, leading Edmonton defenders in Slot Passes Per 60 at 5-on-5. He was also second to Bouchard in Passes Leading to Shots.
Plays Under Pressure
Klingberg’s passing prowess extends beyond the offensive zone.
Klingberg was tied for second with Brett Kulak on the Oilers defense, behind Bouchard again, in Successful Passes Under Pressure Per 60 at 5-on-5.
Klingberg’s mobility and passing touch should bring some relief to the last-place Sharks and their usually pinned-down defense.
Puck Carrying
Klingberg will also help the Sharks carry the puck, a glaring blueline weakness since the Erik Karlsson trade.
He was second to Bouchard in Total Puck Carrys Per 60 at 5-on-5, so he’s still comfortable with the puck.
He was also proficient in Stretch Carries, puck carries of more than 30 feet, per Stathletes. His 17.78 Stretch Carries wasn’t far behind team-leading Jake Walman (18.16) and Bouchard (18.04).
So he should help the Sharks gain plenty of positive territory.
Klingberg, however, isn’t as strong carrying the puck into the zone, he’s actually last among Oilers D in zone entries.
But he is, naturally, comfortable with the puck in the OZ. He was second to (of course) Bouchard in Possession Time OZ.
Between Klingberg and Dmitry Orlov, San Jose should improve their NHL-last OZ puck possession time at 5-on-5.
Defense
The 6-foot-2 Klingberg, of course, is an offensive defenseman first — defense isn’t his calling card.
But in a couple of useful ways, he should help the San Jose Sharks defensively too.
Klingberg led Oilers blueliners in Shot Recoveries.
Shot Recoveries are how often a defenseman retrieves the puck after an opposition shot on goal.
That speaks to a defenseman who can still move well and has real hockey sense.
He was also second in Puck Deflections, so he’s got an active defensive stick in all zones.
He was also, going against his reputation, second in Shot Blocks Per 60.
Klingberg, however, has to be more careful with the puck — he coughed up the second-most DZ turnovers per 60 on the Oilers blueline. He also has the worst Puck Battle Win %, though he is willing to battle, he engaged in a position-high in battles. He just lost them more than he won.
Power Play
Klingberg didn’t see a ton of power play time on Edmonton, but with his ability to carry the puck, look for him to quarterback the San Jose Sharks’ power play, lugging the puck on a regroup into the neutral zone, before dropping it back to Macklin Celebrini or William Eklund to complete the controlled zone entry.
In zone, Klingberg should move the puck expertly. From 2014 to 2022, he was ninth among NHL defensemen in power play assists. He’s a shot threat, but he’s going to look to pass more than shoot on the man advantage.
So what John Klingberg will San Jose get?
Klingberg in his prime is exactly what an under-skilled Sharks defense needed.
If the 33-year-old can get anywhere close to that, he could be a bargain of a signing.