Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman John Klingberg is set to see a specialist in New York about his hip issue and a decision on surgery is expected to be made this week, general manager Brad Treliving told reporters Monday.
The power-play specialist was placed on long-term injured reserve on Thursday by the club.
That decision came after the defenceman missed three consecutive games, two of which were in his home country of Sweden, and said that he had hit “rock bottom” with his hip injury after a game in Florida on Oct. 19.
Now, with his $4.15-million cap hit cleared up, the Maple Leafs can better map out a recovery timeline for Klingberg.
Klingberg underwent double hip surgery in 2014, ahead of his rookie season in the NHL.
The 31-year-old joined the Maple Leafs via free agency to provide offence from the blue line, but has struggled to get going in his 14 games, registering just five assists.
Selected 131st overall in the 2010 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars, he remained with that organization for eight seasons before being traded to the Minnesota Wild before the deadline last season.