STARS DEFENCEMAN KLINGBERG ASKS FOR TRADE

TORONTO, ON — Contract negotiations between the Dallas Stars and veteran defenceman John Klingberg hit a wall early on this season and the two sides have not been able to break through the barrier.

Prior to the start of the 2021-22 campaign, the Stars and Klingberg’s camp had been discussing an eight-year extension and those talks carried into October. According to sources, both sides remained far apart on the dollars and word started to get out across the NHL, leading teams to inquiring about his availability.

The chatter started to make its way around in my world, as not just I, but others reported contract negotiations hadn’t progressed and teams were poking around.

Since then, things have been silent. On the contract front, that is.

As I reported earlier today on NHL Now on NHL Network, Klingberg has asked for a trade out of Dallas, as per my sources – a request that did not occur recently, presumably it was made when contract negotiations fell apart.

The Stars are in no way required to move him and there is no guarantee a trade will be facilitated this season. Dallas is in the thick of things in the Western Conference wild card race, sitting four points back of the Edmonton Oilers with four games in hand. In fact, while there are four more teams ahead of them, the Stars have games in hand of all of them – three in hand of Winnipeg, four on Vancouver and Los Angeles, and five on San Jose.

It is entirely possible Stars GM Jim Nill holds on to Klingberg for the team’s own post-season push and see him walk as an unrestricted free agent in July. Alternatively, if the Stars prefer not to lose him for nothing, given how many other pending UFAs they have on the roster, they could explore a move if another team is willing to pay a steep price.

The other scenario is if the Stars fall out of playoff contention, they can make Klingberg readily available and move him for the best offer by the March 21 trade deadline.

With news of Klingberg’s request, I would imagine teams will be calling Nill to see how likely he is to accommodate the 29-year-old’s ask.

Klingberg, who signed a seven-year, $29.75 million contract with the Stars on Apr. 17, 2015, has one goal and 15 assists in 25 games with the Stars this season and is currently on pace for 49 points in 77 games, which would tie his third-most productive offensive NHL season.

Several teams, some of whom inquired earlier in the season, would certainly have interest in Klingberg and his attractive $4.25 million salary cap hit if the Stars intend to deal him.

For the time being, a move is not imminent, but it is certainly something to keep tabs on as the season progresses.