John Klingberg Scouting Reports

Klingberg has been dealing with a nagging injury to start the season.
It has limited his impact offensively. When he isn't playing to his identity on the PP, launching the attack from his zone, or joining as an extra layer offensively, his value to the team drops off exponentially.
Klingberg has always been an average defender. He's struggling to produce to his element and struggling, equally, on the defensive side of the ledger.
In his first 14GP he averaged 20:33 TOI - 17:09 ES - 3:23 PP
Scored 0G-5A. Credited with 11 hits and 14 shot blocks. Defensively he's a (-7

To start the season Klingberg was being used as a third pairing 'D' ,at even strength, and quarterbacking the first PP unit.
Injuries have been piling up for the Leafs blue line. Klingberg is being asked to match-up against top six / middle six forwards. His impact, on the Leafs first PP unit, has provided mixed results.. He's seeing more time on the second unit now, as Morgan Rielly takes over his previous role as the QB on PP#1.
The team needs more out of Klingberg in all three zones. He's competing. There's no issue with his work ethic. His execution, with the puck, offensively has room to go to another level. More importantly, his detail defensively is being tested. Monitor his ability to keep opponents to the outside in his zone, close gaps to kill plays, and battle physically / make life harder on his opponent.
With all the moving parts on the Leafs blue line, Klingberg is averaging 20:59 TOI - 17:22 ES - 3:36 PP
10GP - 0G-5A - 8 PIMS (-3) - 10 hits - 12 shot blocks

Averaging 21:39 TOI to start the (23/24) season in Toronto. 17:46 at ES / 3:52 on PP / does not kill penalties.
Big body / right shot / does not play with a ton of physical push back. Relies on his long reach to kill plays or angle opponents away from high danger areas. Good skater - especially on straight lines.
Sees the ice. With the puck on his stick he can make long range outlets - stick to stick - or plays through seems in the offensive zone.
PP QB - 'Transitional D'
Struggles defensively with hard match-ups against top six opponents with combination of skill and will. Needs to elevate his 'on and off the puck' detail - to at least average.
4GP - 0G -3A - 2 pims (-3

Klingberg has been average, at best, this season in Anaheim. Having said that he remains a target at the deadline for a team that is looking for an extra layer on their power-play. His 5vs5 defensive detail ranges wildly. He has looked disinterested at times. There is a ton of risk, in my opinion, in acquiring Klingberg. The team that brings him in should expect a bottom pairing 'D' at even strength., a potential bump on their power-play. Klingberg will not PK.

Averaged nearly 22:00 TOI in 21/22 and was used in all situations in Dallas.
Walks the line on the PP. Patient. Makes plays. Distributors through seems. Pucks to net form distance for tips and rebounds. Occasionally leads the rush out of his zone.
On the PK he rotates well and has good jump to small areas. Area defender with occasional physical element. . Not shot blocker. There are times in games that he turns pucks over in key areas of the ice / loses his focus and attention to detail.

A veteran 2-way / Transitional 'D' who has ability to skate pucks from his zone and lead the rush. Also capable of joining the rush as and extra layer when he identifies open space
Used in all situations No easy minutes. His ice time averaged around 21:00 per night in 2021-2022 and the bulk of that time was against top 6 opponents. He will surprise, at times, with some physical push back. Generally an area defender. Decent gap control killing zone entries. There are times in games he turns pucks over in key areas of the ice.