John Klingberg reveals why he has asked for a trade.
Strong words from the Stars defenseman.
The Dallas Stars may have a very big problem on their hands.
Over the course of the last several days it has become clear that veteran defenseman John Klingberg is not happy with his current situation as a member of the Dallas Stars. There have been rumors about a potential trade involving the talented blue liner, and on Friday during an appearance on the NHL Network, insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period left little doubt that Klingberg had asked for a way out of Dallas.
"They had contract negotiations between the two sides and tried to get towards an 8 year contract extension," said Pagnotta during his appearance on the NHL Network. "They hit a wall and haven't made progress and word started to get out about that, leading teams to inquire about his availability. They were told that nothing was gonna happen at that point and they tried to reconvene negotiations and it just hasn't gotten there. It has been silent to this point with respect to a new extension, but there has been a new development with respect to Klingberg from what I'm being told, according to my sources, he has asked for a trade out of Dallas."
If there was any doubt about the fact that Klingberg had actually requested the trade however, that all but vanished on Saturday when the defenseman himself decided to speak on the matter. Although Klingberg did not address the trade demand directly, he left little doubt about the fact that he is currently not happy with the way he has been treated by his team.
"For me as a player, I don't feel like I've been appreciated," said Klingberg on Saturday.
In spite of never winning the prize, Klingberg has often been in the discussion for the Norris Trophy and is recognized as one of the league's elite defensemen. Losing him would be a big blow to the Dallas Stars and based on the comments he made today it sounds to me like he has already made up his mind about the next stage of his career.
Klingberg is currently playing out the final year of a 7 year deal he signed with the Stars back in 2015, and he will be an unrestricted free agent when this current season has concluded. As a result the Stars have very little room to work with, and short of the Stars making Klingberg an offer he can't refuse I don't see a scenario in which the two sides in this dispute find a way to reconcile.
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