Defenceman John Klingberg will make his long-awaited Blue & Orange debut on Thursday night when the Edmonton Oilers host the Detroit Red Wings at Rogers Place, Head Coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed following the morning skate.

Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch revealed at practice today that defenceman John Klingberg is expected to make his debut with the team along with new defence pairs.

John Klingberg made his debut with the Oilers when they played the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. The 32-year-old had five assists in 14 games last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs before his season ended because of hip surgery.

For the first time in well over a year, John Klingberg is suiting up in an NHL game. The former All-Star defenceman will make his Oilers debut playing alongside Darnell Nurse on the team’s second pairing when Edmonton hosts the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night.

The Edmonton Oilers potentially bolstered their defense Friday by signing free agent John Klingberg, a low-risk move that could amount to adding a top-four blueliner.

The Edmonton Oilers are eagerly awaiting the addition of defenceman John Klingberg to their lineup, but unfortunately an immigration issue is holding up his return to play.

In the wake of his career-surviving major surgery, it was a hip, hip hooray moment for John Klingberg when he signed his one-year free-agent contract in Edmonton—five years after being in the 2020 playoff bubble with the Dallas Stars when they were two games from winning the Stanley Cup.

John Klinberg has made his decision on a new home for 2024-25. The marquee veteran defenseman has signed with the Edmonton Oilers on Friday per NHL insider Darren Dreger. "John Klingberg heading to the Oilers," Dreger said on X. Edmonton was reported to be the front-runner to sign Klingberg, so this decision does not come as a massive shock.