Leafs Newest Player's Time Might Be Up In Toronto

This seasoned 31-year-old defenseman joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent in the offseason, securing a one-year, $4.15 million deal on the opening day of free agency. While his five assists in 13 games might not sound alarming, Klingberg has emerged as a defensive liability since game 1, boasting a disheartening -8 +/- stat line and ranking among the league's worst defensemen in terms of defensive metrics and analytics.

To be blunt: his performance has been subpar.


Adding to the disappointment, there are indications that Klingberg might be benched in the upcoming game against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Leafs insider Jonas Siegel reported that Klingberg was the odd man out at practice, hinting at a potential healthy scratch for the game.


It's a worrisome situation, with the team likely less than thrilled to have their $4.15 million free-agent acquisition on the sidelines. This could be the start of a downward spiral for Klingberg in Toronto.

Compounding the issue is the revelation that the Leafs initially had their sights set on veteran defenseman Matt Dumba over Klingberg. According to Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman, Dumba was Toronto's preferred choice on July 1st. However, negotiations fell through due to the financial gap, leading the Leafs to pivot to Klingberg.


Friedman explained,
In an ironic twist, Dumba ended up waiting out the entire month of July before settling for a one-year, $3.9 million deal with the Arizona Coyotes.

While no one claims Dumba is a flawless player or the ultimate solution to the Leafs' challenges, many argue that he's a more well-rounded player than Klingberg and would have seamlessly fit into the Leafs' system.

In essence, it seems the Leafs may have let a promising opportunity slip through their fingers.