John Klingberg Eyes NHL Comeback After Double Hip Surgery

TORONTO, Canada — Veteran defenseman John Klingberg is poised to make a dramatic return to the NHL after more than a year away from the ice, following a double hip resurfacing procedure. The 32-year-old Swedish player, who last appeared in an NHL game on Nov. 11, 2023, is reportedly drawing interest from multiple teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, and Anaheim Ducks.

Klingberg, a free agent, has not played since undergoing season-ending hip surgery in December 2023. His last stint was with the Maple Leafs, where he recorded five assists in 14 games before being sidelined. Drafted 131st overall by the Dallas Stars in 2010, Klingberg has amassed 81 goals and 412 points over 633 career games with the Stars, Ducks, and Maple Leafs.

According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, Klingberg has been working tirelessly to regain his form, following a rehabilitation regimen similar to that of Patrick Kane, who successfully returned to the NHL after hip resurfacing surgery in 2023. Klingberg has been training in suburban Toronto and consulting with the same specialist who treated Kane.

“He was asking me a lot of questions about it,” Kane told The Athletic. “We had a few conversations. I was the same way because there’s not too much known about it even now.”

Hip resurfacing, an alternative to full hip replacement, involves shaving damaged bone and cartilage from the femur and capping it with metal. The procedure is invasive and painful, with Klingberg reportedly texting fellow player Jesse Puljujärvi, “I’m dying,” shortly after surgery. Puljujärvi, who underwent the same procedure in June 2023, described the recovery as grueling but ultimately successful.

Klingberg’s rehabilitation began in January 2024 with low-impact skating and physical therapy. He has since worked with a skating instructor to rebuild strength and refine his technique. At his peak, Klingberg was known for his offensive prowess, vision, and powerful shot, making him a valuable asset on the power play.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his recovery, NHL teams see little risk in signing Klingberg to a short-term, incentive-laden contract. Under the collective bargaining agreement, he is eligible for performance bonuses, given his extensive career and time on long-term injured reserve.

Klingberg’s potential return is bolstered by his relatively young age compared to other players who have undergone similar procedures, such as Nicklas Bäckström and Ed Jovanovski, both of whom struggled to regain their form post-surgery. Puljujärvi, at 26, remains a work in progress, while Kane has thrived, averaging 0.84 points per game since his return.

As Klingberg prepares to re-enter the NHL, his journey serves as a testament to resilience and determination. “Since I’ve been back, I’ve felt no pain, nothing, with the hip joint,” Kane said. For Klingberg, those words offer hope as he seeks to reignite his career and prove he still belongs among the league’s elite.