The Edmonton Oilers broke some bad news today that seemed to have been in the works for a while. Oscar Klefbom, a defenseman, has formally declared his retirement from the NHL. Klefbom had not skated in the NHL since the playoffs of the 2019–20 season. The Chicago Blackhawks had defeated the Oilers in four games during their first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series in August 2020. Since then, Klefbom has not made an appearance in the NHL.
NHL Retired: Oscar Klefbom, Defenceman with the Edmonton Oilers
When healthy, Oscar Klefbom had a stellar career with the Edmonton Oilers. That being said, there are rumors circulating that Klefbom endured this ailment for the most of his NHL playing career. The Oilers announced in December 2020 that Klefbom will have surgery in an attempt to mend his shoulder. Moreover, he would have to skip the 2020–21 campaign. In the end, he would also be sidelined for 2021–2022. He was unable to fully heal from the wound and the ensuing operation as time went on.
It Seems Like Klefbom’s Retirement Came a Long Way.
Now, almost four years after Klefbom’s NHL career ended, here we are. The 31-year-old Klefbom and the Edmonton Oilers organization as a whole had been hoping that he would be able to return to the field. The athlete and the squad had not lost hope. But it appears like Klefbom will now have to declare his NHL retirement and put his long-term health first. Klefbom continues to express his desire to play the game he loves in any way at this time. However, it’s unclear right now what that may involve.
Oscar Klefbom is retiring, but when we look back at his career stats, he was a valuable member of the Oilers team. Over the course of seven NHL seasons and 378 games, he averaged 22:49 minutes per game. He also finished his career with 34 goals and 122 assists for 156 points. He was a vital member of the Oilers’ defensive line, particularly in the playoff run the team had in 2017. Even though it was a long time ago, the Oilers who are still around will undoubtedly miss his backend skills. Let’s hope for the best for him on his path following his NHL playing career.
