Duration of stay. He describes the long wait for an acceptable contract offer as somewhat shocking.
But now that John Klingberg has found a new home in Anaheim, he feels satisfied and motivated.
– It’s no secret that I was hoping for a long-term contract, but when it became clear that it was going to be a one-year deal, ducks were the best option. This team has something exciting going on, the Swedish back star tells Sportbladet.
In fact, John was supposed to be in Southern California by now, with his wife Fanny and young daughter Elsa, but we met him in Dallas – the Texas capital that has been the family’s home for the past eight years.
When they wrapped up their vacation home in Sweden last week and returned across the Atlantic to catch up with North American resettlement teams, three more in a row became victims of the world’s ongoing aviation chaos.
The bags disappeared during the layover – and have not arrived yet.
We had six bags and they got lost. Now my wife’s three have arrived, but not mine. It’s going to be a little messy, but hopefully they’ll arrive within the next 24 hours so we can sort everything out and get to Anaheim, he says.
“Wonderful wedding”
A slightly sad ending to an unforgettable summer, you name it. Other than that, the Klingberg family has only been involved in the fun stuff in recent months.
“Yes, one daughter grows up like crazy and another daughter grows up like crazy in a wife’s stomach, and so we had a wonderful wedding,” continues John.
– It was just a shame to be late in the new decade, of course it caused a little tension.
Mm, it was also…
The soon-to-be 30-year-old star defender from Lerum – who reached the classic stage on Sunday – stood up after eight years with Dallas stars Out of contract when last season was added to waiting lists. He was expected to quickly be offered a new and lucrative “deal” with one of the 32 NHL clubs. John was by far the hottest open-market contestant.
But the eventful opening day of the free agency race came and went without incident and then took the long bench. Two weeks later, he was still without a contract to everyone’s astonishment.
Burger did not sign a contract with Burger Company until the end of July. Anaheim Dax Worth seven million dollars – almost 70 million kroner. That’s good money of course, especially considering that during most of his years in Texas he played with a salary well below his market value, but for only one year…it wasn’t meant to be.
– No, it’s no secret that I was hoping for a long-term contract. We also got a few bids at first, but it didn’t go well. So we decided to wait a while and suddenly most of the clubs with space for longer contracts with other players ended up, John explains.
– I had in mind that the salary cap was fixed due to the pandemic and that it could be a little complicated, but I was still a bit shocked that it took so long.
“I found good alternatives”
In the end, it was clear that there was not much more to do than sign a one-year contract – and bet on an even more exciting deal after next season.
– Then there were many good options, but Anaheim felt the best. I am satisfied with the salary and I think the team is excited. The New Duck says they have really good young players and have signed with two strong free agents prior to signing, Frank Vatrano and Ryan Strom.
– So I think it can be a good season and then, as I said, I hope something will last longer next summer; Either by me extending with ducks or signing somewhere else.
Will there be extra pressure, do you feel you have to have a really good season to get a good starting position next year?
– Yes, there will be some pressure, but I am not particularly worried. I’m hoping for more points production compared to recent years, without thinking that I need to blow myself up for better stats. If the team goes well, it will automatically go well for me too and I think things will go well for the team. Like I said, there’s a lot of talent on the playing team, and there’s something exciting going on at Anaheim.
Surely you and someone like young artist Trevor Zegras can develop great chemistry.
– Yes exactly. In addition, the ducks play more offensively as a team. In the past three years we’ve had amazing defensive style in Dallas. Hence we are part of the Pacific Division, and that also contributed to my decision to sign for the club. It’s like an open section, not necessarily who’s going to playoffs, we have a good chance and I think that sounds inspiring.
“a lot of respect”
You can get countrymen Jacob Silverberg and Isaac Lundstrom as teammates. Do you know them before?
– Well, I met Jacob at the wedding of Ricard Raquel a few years ago, but I don’t know him very well. But I’ve met him and Isaac a few times and I respect them a lot. Raquel and Humbus Lindholm, with whom I have spoken a lot in recent weeks, have spoken a lot about them as well as about the club as a whole. I’m really looking forward to getting there and working soon.
I changed agents a few weeks ago, from Peter Wallén to Newport Sports Management. What can you say about this?
I had a very good twelve years with Peter, but I felt the best thing for me and my family now was to move on.
And soon a new adventure begins in the sparkling Southern California sun.
Only the bags arrive in Dallas…