The San Jose Sharks, amidst a surprising start to the 2025-2026 season, find themselves calibrating expectations and performance, particularly concerning veteran defenseman John Klingberg. With a record of 10-8-3 through 21 games, the Sharks are exceeding early expectations, displaying structure and grit. However, Klingberg, brought in to bolster the power play and transition game, has faced a recent setback, being a healthy scratch.

Head coach Ryan Warsofsky's decision to sit Klingberg for the game against the Utah Mammoth wasn't merely punitive but a strategic move to recalibrate the player's role and impact on the team. This decision signals a shift in the team's philosophy, prioritizing current execution over past reputation.

Klingberg, who is on an expiring contract, is set to become an unrestricted free agent in July. For the Sharks' rebuild strategy to be effective, these assets need to maintain their value. A decline in Klingberg's performance could diminish his trade value. By initiating a reset now, the Sharks aim to revitalize his game and, consequently, his market value. If Klingberg can minimize turnovers and perform as a 40-point defenseman, he could become a valuable asset for teams seeking power-play assistance.

Through 14 games, Klingberg has recorded two goals and three assists, totaling five points, with a concerning minus-5 rating. Warsofsky described Klingberg as a "risk-and-reward type of defenseman". While some risk is acceptable if the offensive output is high, the Sharks haven't seen enough of that reward.

Klingberg acknowledged that his play has appeared "careless". He admitted to "chasing the game," a common issue when players try to compensate for previous plays. Klingberg also noted a difference between his playing style and the league's current trend. The NHL is now more about speed and direct transitions, while Klingberg is more of an "East-West" player.

The decision to scratch Klingberg served two purposes: a reset for the player and a message to the team. The Sharks' training camp motto was "Earn it," and sitting a veteran like Klingberg reinforces that ice time is earned. This move allowed prospect Sam Dickinson to re-enter the lineup, demonstrating genuine internal competition. Reports indicate Klingberg was unhappy with the decision, which Warsofsky viewed as a positive response, as it signifies a competitive spirit.

Klingberg's situation can be viewed as a calibration process. He admitted that his game has looked “careless” and, to use his own candid phrasing, “sh*t from the outside”. But the root cause isn't a lack of effort; rather, it is an excess of it. He confessed to “chasing the game,” a common symptom when a player presses to make up for previous shifts.

Klingberg's honesty and Warsofsky's direct approach suggest a collaborative effort to improve his performance and potentially increase his value as a trade asset. The Sharks are currently $-2,673,948 under the projected cap space. Several defensemen including Mario Ferraro, Timothy Liljegren, Vincent Desharnais and John Klingberg are on expiring contracts, which could make them trade targets this season. The Sharks are still planning to sell this season.