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.

John Klingberg signed with the Oilers nearly two weeks ago, and now after a small delay in getting into the lineup, the new defenceman is set to make his debut with the team Saturday against the Maple Leafs.

The NHL is back from its holiday roster freeze and fewer than two months away from the trade deadline. So far, there have been 15 trades, four coaching changes, plus extensions signed by Igor Shesterkin,

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

UFA defenseman John Klingberg is joining the Edmonton Oilers in a comeback from hip surgery after a handful of teams were reportedly interested in him.