The Toronto Maple Leafs placed defenseman John Klingberg on long-term injured reserve, the team announced Thursday.
Klingberg hasn't played since Nov. 11 due to an unspecified injury. He'll miss at least 10 games and 24 days retroactive to his last appearance.
"It's always been there throughout my career, but I've been able to deal with it and work through it," Klingberg said of his injury on Nov. 17 during the team's trip to Sweden. "But it kind of hit a rock bottom here these last few weeks."
Klingberg underwent double hip surgery early in his career and has dealt with other various ailments throughout his 10 NHL seasons.
The Maple Leafs signed Klingberg to a one-year, $4.15-million contract as a free agent in the summer. The offensive-minded blue-liner has only produced five assists in 14 games and struggled defensively. His minus-2.7 defensive goals above replacement rating is the seventh-worst among NHL defensemen this season, per Evolving-Hockey.
The Maple Leafs will gain cap flexibility as long as Klingberg remains out. They're reportedly among teams interested in Calgary Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov.
In the meantime, Conor Timmins could fill Klingberg's void internally. The right-handed defenseman appears set to come off LTIR and make his season debut Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Forward Alex Steeves was also recalled from the AHL's Toronto Marlies in a corresponding move to Klingberg's injury.
Klingberg, 31, was once one of the game's best offensive defensemen. He finished sixth in Norris Trophy voting in both 2016 and 2018, and was integral to the Dallas Stars' run to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final, producing 21 points in 26 playoff games.
