The Toronto Maple Leafs are favorites to sign former All-Star defenseman John Klingberg, according to Darren Dreger.

The Edmonton Oilers made some noise last week, signing John Klingberg to a one-year contract. The 32-year-old was limited to just 14 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs a season ago before undergoing a hip resurfacing procedure,

The wait for John Klingberg’s next NHL destination is nearly over with an announcement expected within the next 24 to 48 hours. According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie (h/t Andre Leal of The Hockey News), the veteran defenseman is expected to finalize his decision by week's end,

Klingberg signed a one-year, $4.15 million contract with the Maple Leafs on July 1, 2023, after playing the 2022-23 season with the Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild. The defenseman played 14 games with Toronto — scoring four assists and averaging 20:33 of ice time — before undergoing hip surgery.

Maple Leafs fans will remember Klingberg from his brief time with the franchise during the 2023-24 season. After signing a one-year, $4.15 million contract to move to Toronto, the former NHL All-Star defender played only 14 games in a Leafs jersey before missing the rest of the campaign with a hip injury .

Klingberg hasn't played an NHL game since being in the lineup for Toronto vs. the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 11, 2023.

Klingberg said he’ll have to readjust to the pace of the league but feels much better now about being able to handle it.

Someone in the Leafs organization really wants to believe in a good comeback story. Matt Murray is presently living out his attempt to return to the NHL, with some success at the AHL level that hasn’t translated to NHL success,

John Klingberg is closing in on an NHL return, and the Maple Leafs, Senators and Oilers are all reportedly interested in the veteran D-man.

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.

Defenseman John Klingberg recently signed a one-year, $1,755,056 contract with the Edmonton Oilers. The 32-year-old returns to the NHL after undergoing major hip surgery during the 2023-24 season.

Klingberg will either be a brilliant addition for the Oilers or a quick audition that will be forgotten by fall.