Carl Klingberg ….
Carl Klingberg played this past season in the AHL for the St. Johns IceCaps.
Position: RW Shoots: Right
DOB: Jan.28,
Height: 6’3 Weight: 205
Selected by: Atlanta Round: 2nd Overall: 34th Year: 2009 NHL Entry Draft
Four Years Later
I will be continuing my prospect analysis today with Winnipeg Jets prospect Carl Klingberg. I like to pick a current prospect or roster player on one of my favorite teams and look back at their post draft projections. The projections are based on their amateur careers and draft position.
One of my favorite websites for this sort of thing is Hockey’s Future. Carl Klingberg has played the last two seasons for the Winnipeg Jets AHL affiliate in St. Johns. Last season he posted 11 goals, 12 assists for a total of 23 points along with 40 PIM and a plus/minus rating of -6 in 66 games regular season games. Let’s see what the guys at Hockey’s Future said.
Carl Klingberg Is Now A Four Year Pro
Based on the Hockey’s Future evaluation and from what I have personally seen, I am surprised that Klingberg hasn’t made the next step. BUT, it has been a unique couple of years since the move from Atlanta so he gets a mulligan for now. His AHL numbers won’t blow you away but it looks like he has solid tools to play in the NHL. In the six NHL games and couple AHL games, I’ve seen him play and he didn’t look out of place. He’s a big body that grinds in corners and in the cycle game. It looks like he has a decent set of hands and can shoot the puck.
Lets face the facts that with last years lockout and short training camp, there was not going to be any AHL players making the big club. The forty-eight game season left little time for experimentation or prospect evaluating by Coach Noel. Coach Noel played the players he trusted but that’s another story.
It was fun to watch and listen to Jets fans excitement over certain prospects at the “Development Camp”. Those players were playing with and against their peers. Main camp will be much different. I’m willing to bet there will be fans at main camp that point at Carl Klingberg and ask “Who’s that kid? Man he looks good”. I’m not saying that Klingberg is going to make the Jets but I’d like to see him be one of the last players sent to the Rock and one of the first call-ups.
I really haven’t see a lot of difference in the skill-set of the Winnipeg Jets bottom six forwards the past couple of years in comparison to Carl Klingberg. I think all that Klingberg lacks is experience and opportunity. Carl Klingberg is still only twenty-two and IMHO this is a big year for him to show whether he is a legitimate prospect or a bust. He must make a meaningful impact at this years camp.
Hockey’s Future gave Klingberg a PTS of 6.5 and a POS of D but yet their talent analysis was very positive. The funny thing is that it’s BANG ON. Maybe there are underlying issues with him or intangibles that are keeping him from taking the next step.
In conclusion, Carl Klingberg is still a prospect and if he wants to continue being a prospect, he needs to make an impact at main camp and when/if he gets sent down to the AHL he needs to be a key contributor to the IceCaps.
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