The San Jose Sharks signed John Klingberg over the summer, hoping that he could be their top power play quarterback, and turn back the clock a little.<\/p>\n
In his prime, Klingberg was world-class, one of the most dangerous offensive defensemen in the NHL.<\/p>\n
Multiple injuries, including multiple hip surgeries, have slowed the 33-year-old over the last five years.<\/p>\n
But Klingberg, in flashes, did provide some real firepower to the Sharks this season.<\/p>\n
His overall stats, 10 goals and 24 points in 55 games, are some of his best numbers in many years.<\/p>\n
From Dec. 7 to 16, arguably the most memorable stretch of the season for the Sharks, highlighted by a miracle comeback win at the Pittsburgh Penguins, Klingberg scored five goals and eight points in five games, four of them wins..<\/p>\n
Klingberg was the hero of that victory over the Pens, down 5-1 in the third period, scoring the OT winner and dipsy-doodling all-time great Sidney Crosby in the process.<\/p>\n
“I’m beside myself and there’s tears in my eyes”
The San Jose Sharks just staged one of the greatest comebacks in franchise history, overcoming a four-goal deficit in OT versus the Pittsburgh Penguins<\/p>\n
Incredible play from Collin Graf, Macklin Celebrini, and John Klingberg\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/i6KkwSU129<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) December 13, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Klingberg, however, has struggled otherwise, getting pulled off the top power play as the Sharks were trying to make a late-season playoff push. He\u2019s also been healthy scratched in 11 of the last 12 games.<\/p>\n Klingberg, however, will reach a significant milestone tonight, playing in his 700th NHL game.<\/p>\n The pending UFA spoke with SJHN in Chicago, discussing what the milestone means to him and his future plans.<\/p>\n John Klingberg, on reaching game 700:<\/p>\n It does mean a lot. Looking back at it, when you were a kid you never knew if you were going to play in the NHL or not. It was always a dream. Standing here today, knowing you\u2019re going to hit 700, is obviously a milestone.<\/p>\n Klingberg, on reaching the milestone despite injury-plagued previous seasons:<\/p>\n Nothing to take for granted, for sure. It\u2019s always a big thing when a player hits a milestone. Obviously, you\u2019re a team, but you always have individual goals as something you strive towards. I\u2019m pretty happy with it.<\/p>\n Klingberg, on his assessment of his season:<\/p>\n It\u2019s been up and down for sure. But you know what, we all tried our best. We fell short, just [at] the line of [the playoffs.] But I think moving forward, this organization took a big step this year, I\u2019m happy to be a part of it, and obviously there\u2019s going to be many years to come where this team is going to be successful.<\/p>\n Klingberg, on his plan next season:<\/p>\n It\u2019s hard to say right now. I don\u2019t know that. I can\u2019t answer that. We\u2019ll see what happens.<\/p>\n Klingberg, on his confidence he can still help an NHL team:<\/p>\n It\u2019s not prime Klingberg anymore, but I still feel like I can be [part of it] out there and help the team win. Still move pucks and be on the right side of it.<\/p>\n Like we talked about earlier this year, you and me, you\u2019ve got to learn to play probably a little bit [of a] different way out there as you\u2019re getting older. I read the game a little bit differently, and also I feel like the game is just from, when I came into the league 12 or 13 years ago, it\u2019s a lot faster now too. So, I\u2019m happy to still be here playing.<\/p>\n To answer the question: I don\u2019t know. I would like to keep playing. We\u2019ll see what happens.<\/p>\n San Jose Sharks (38-35-8)<\/p>\n Alex Nedeljkovic will start.<\/p>\n Pavol Regenda, Philipp Kurashev, Ty Dellandrea, and Klingberg will come in for Tyler Toffoli, Alex Wennberg, Adam Gaudette, and Vincent Desharnais.<\/p>\n Winnipeg Jets (35-34-12)<\/p>\n Please insert Brayden Yager at C with Koepke and Chibrikov\u2026<\/p>\n Comrie will start vs #SJSharks<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ken Wiebe (@WiebesWorld) April 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Where To Watch<\/p>\n Puck drop between the San Jose Sharks and Winnipeg Jets is at 5 PM PT at Canada Life Centre. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t