Klingberg returns in a shorter deal

I'm not sure why Anaheim agrees to that deal?

I also think those bridge deals are still under valued, even for bridge deals. I understand the comparisons, but those were both several years ago. I think Robo gets around $7M per and Oetter gets $5M per.

On Klinger... I wouldn't consider 5 years a shorter deal. I would offer 3. Almost like a bridge deal for Klinger. See if he can regain his former self and then sign him to a multi-year, higher paid extension (4 or 5 year extension at $8M per). Then he gets his long-term deal and high dollars.

If they do your proposed "bridge" deal with Klinger and he regains some of his form, why would you then sign him to a longer deal with a higher AAV? He'll be 33 years old by then, wouldn't it be better to just let him walk/trade him after the 3 years than to cap strap yourself again by giving him another raise? Harley will be more developed then, as will Bischel and hopefully Kyrou and/or Fegaras, so Klingberg would be a bottom 3 defenseman on this team when that new contract would kick in

I think that's why you sign him to a shorter deal (I.E. 3 years). You hope he can regain his former play under DeBoer for those three years through the 24-25 season. If he doesn't, you're not locked in to him long-term and you haven't broken the bank.

If he DOES regain his great form and play, you're getting another 3 years of great play at a bargain price. And in three years when Klinger's deal is over, you hope that the prospects you mentioned like Harley, Bischel, Kyrou, Fegaras, etc. are developed enough for at least one of them to step in and take over for Klinger. Then, you can then either let Klinger walk or you'll have enough cap money to sign him to another larger deal (Benn, Faksa, Suter and Lindell will all be off the books after 24-25 which gives you over $22M in cap room).