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Former Oilers defenceman John Klingberg retires at 34

Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

By Michael Menzies

Sep 11, 2026, 15:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 11, 2026, 15:28 EDT

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A former Edmonton Oilers defenceman officially announced his retirement from professional hockey on Friday. He turned 34 in August.

John Klingberg didn’t wear the orange and blue for the Oilers for a long time, but it was a memorable time. He, of course, was a part of Edmonton’s blue line during the 2025 run to the Stanley Cup Final.

In total, he played 11 regular-season games with the Oilers in 2024-25 after he was signed mid-season, and another 19 games during the long playoff run. During those playoffs, he scored one goal and four points, but helped fill the gap left behind once Mattias Ekholm went down with injury.

Klingberg retires with 700 regular-season games played on the nose, and another 82 in the playoffs.

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John Klingberg is officially announcing his retirement from professional hockey after 700 NHL career games played – wishing all the best to this former blue liner in the future!

2:00 PM · Sep 11, 2026

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When he jumped into the NHL in 2014-15, he was immediately an upper-echelon offensive defenceman, making the NHL All-Rookie Team. That reputation would hold for most of his career, as six separate seasons he scored double-digit goals, while also producing a career-high 67 points in 2017-18 as an NHL All-Star.

Most of his career was spent with the Dallas Stars, but he also made stops with the Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Last year, he scored 10 goals and 27 points in 56 games with the San Jose Sharks.

Off the ice, he may be best remembered as “fumbling the bag” during his free agency periods and missing out on a big payday. He was reportedly pressing for an eight-year contract from the Stars at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season worth $8 million per year. At the time, Klingberg was one of the best free agents available.

According to Jeff Marek, the Stars offered eight years but at $7 million. Klingberg turned down the offer. However, as the offers dwindled, he switched agents during the process and was only able to secure a one-year contract at $7 million from the Ducks. That would be the first of four one-year contracts.

Twice Klingberg made the Stanley Cup Final, as Dallas had their run in the 2020 COVID bubble, losing to Tampa Bay in six games. He was second on the Stars in playoff points.

Injuries played a large part in his story in recent years, but he was productive throughout his 20s. Not many defenceman can say they scored 443 points in 700 games, 0.633 points per game.

Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and co-host of PreGaming and Oilersnation After Dark. He’s also been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years of news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, Menzies collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues. Follow him on X at Menzies_4.

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