Oilers star defenseman Oscar Klefbom out for 2020-21 season due to shoulder injury

Though there was speculation for months, Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland finally confirmed Monday that defenseman Oscar Klefbom will miss the entire upcoming season. Klefbom hopes to be ready for the start of the 2021-22 campaign. Holland also explained that Gaetan Haas will miss the start of training camp after being a close contact with a positive COVID-19 case in Switzerland.

It’s tough news for Klefbom, who was dynamic for the Oilers last season, scoring at the best pace of his career (34 points in 62 games) and logging more than 25 minutes a night. The 27-year-old defenseman has only played more than 66 games in a season once through his entire career and will now miss an entire campaign due to an injury in his prime.

For the Oilers, though they’d obviously much rather have a healthy Klefbom on the ice, his injury may clear up some things financially. The team was capped-out but now could potentially move the defenseman’s $4.167M cap hit to long-term injured reserve to add some relief. That process is complicated, but Edmonton could now add another free agent or trade for a player to help shore up the back end. Names like Travis Hamonic (whose preference to play in Western Canada should be noted) and Sami Vatanen both immediately come to mind, though nothing is certain yet.

Still, neither of those players has the same impact that Klefbom has shown over the last few seasons, meaning other internal names will likely have to step up. If there’s one player who could benefit most, it’s Tyson Barrie, who signed a one-year, “prove it” deal with the Oilers to try and get his career back on track. Barrie has a good shot to be on the first power play with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, an enviable position for anyone trying to pump up their point totals.

Ethan Bear, the remaining unsigned restricted free agent for Edmonton, also should have an increased role this season when he eventually signs. The 23-year-old scored 21 points in 71 games last season, trailing only Klefbom and Darnell Nurse among Oilers defensemen.