Toronto Maple Leafs 2023-24 Newcomers' Expectations: Update

John Klingberg

Prediction: 45 points So far: 5 points

On the opening day of free agency, July 1st, Treliving signed the offensively-minded blueliner to a one-year $4.15 million contract.

This move was met with a lot of pessimism at the time due to the similarities in playstyle and fit between Klingberg and former-Leaf Tyson Barrie.

However, nobody could have anticipated that Klingberg would only last 14 games as a Toronto Maple Leaf due to a hip injury requiring surgery. The Leafs definitely did not or else they would not have signed him for over $4 million.

In those 14 games, he scored five points, which works out to roughly 30 points over a full season. Although this isn’t 45, given the struggles that the Leafs faced early on this season, it’s not inconceivable that he would’ve hit this mark.

Unfortunately, we will never know and all we can hope for is that Klingberg recovers well from his injury troubles and is able to make a comeback in the NHL. I don't think anyone disagrees that this was a terrible signing.