BLOG: Klefbom discusses shoulder injury

EDMONTON, AB - Oscar Klefbom took questions from media members Monday, opening up about the nagging shoulder injury he has endured over the past few seasons.
"The reason I'm here, first off, is to take care of the shoulder overall," Klefbom said via Zoom from Karlstad, Sweden. "I wasn't sleeping right. It was a tough way of living my private life. We're looking into options and hopefully, I can get some shoulder surgery done or some kind of release from pain so I can live my private life better."
Klefbom has appeared in 189 games over the past three seasons, managing to collect 15 goals and 83 points during that time despite the ongoing shoulder issue.
"It's been something that's been going on for a while," the 27-year-old said. "Hockey players usually play through a lot of pain. I don't want to be on pain meds 24/7. I thought it was a good time to do it because it's tough when you can't really get your sleep or live your private life."

The 19th-overall selection from the 2011 NHL Draft last competed in a full 82-game campaign in 2016-17, notching 12 goals and 38 points. That same year saw the Swede help propel the Oilers to the second round of the playoffs with two goals and five points in 12 post-season contests.
Klefbom isn't ruling out his future with the Oilers but is prioritizing his health above all at the moment. He will miss the entire 2020-21 season but is targeting 2021-22 for his return.
"I don't want to fold my cards," he said. "It was a pretty natural decision to tell the guys I need to do something. I want to get this fixed. In the end, I want to get back to playing for the Edmonton Oilers."