DALLAS ā Former Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg is leaving the Lone Star State for the Anaheim Ducks, according to multiple reports.
ESPN NHL broadcaster Kevin Weeks and The Athletic Anaheim Ducks beat writer Eric Stephens reported the move on Friday. Klingberg became an unrestricted free agent this summer after spending the first eight seasons of his NHL career with the Stars.
Klingberg was drafted by Dallas in the fifth round in 2010 and first suited up in the NHL for the Stars in 2014.
Klingberg's new deal with Anaheim is reportedly one year and worth nearly $7 million.
In the 2021-22 season, Klingberg put up 47 points in 74 games. He has recorded 374 points total in his 552 NHL games.
Klingberg's offensive skills and shot-blocking capability would give a boost to the Ducks, who could also use his right-handed shot and puck movement on the power play. Klingberg scored 20 points while Dallas had the man advantage last season, and he has 148 career points on the power play.
His arrival will be another part of a fairly major roster makeover for Anaheim since Pat Verbeek took over as general manager during last season. Verbeek traded longtime Ducks defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson near the trade deadline after determining he didn't want to sign the pending free agents to long-term deals, but he had hoped to sign a veteran defenseman to boost the group led by Cam Fowler.
Anaheim has missed the playoffs in four consecutive seasons, but the Ducks appear to be primed for improvement in the fall. Verbeek signed center Ryan Strome and right wing Frank Vatrano in free agency to play alongside Anaheim's talented young core, which includes gifted forwards Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry and defenseman Jamie Drysdale.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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