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It would appear that the Detroit Red Wings will head into Saturday’s game at Florida against the Panthers with alternate captain Niklas Kronwall back on their defense.
The Wings held an optional skate Saturday morning but the word from within the organization was that Kronwall, who has missed the last three games with a knee injury, was good to go.
“I believe he is playing,” Detroit general manager Ken Holland said. “That was the plan after practice yesterday and I haven’t heard anything different since.”
Mrazek Update
Detroit goalie Petr Mrazek (illness) skated on his own Saturday, but the prognosis for his return to action seems to be later rather than sooner.
“I went (out) there for like 15 minutes so (it’s) been better, but I hope it’s going to be back soon,” Mrazek said. “I’m not going to dress as the backup (Saturday). I need probably a couple more practices after that.
“I hope Monday will be better day for me.”
Mrazek indicated his sickness didn’t get ugly until the night prior to Thursday’s game at Columbus.
“I didn’t feel that well a couple days before, then there was nothing going on and when we land in Columbus I feel pretty good as well,” Mrazek explained. “Then I just woke up in the middle of the night sick.
“It’s kind of tough.”
Reunion In Red
After 273 games as a Red Wing, defenseman Jakub Kindl will play his first game against the Red Wings Saturday as a member of the Panthers and admitted that he didn’t know what to expect.
“Maybe we can talk about it after the game because this is the completely new situation I’m going to face tonight,” Kindl said. “I’ve never played for a different team than Detroit. Today is the first day when I’m going to play against my old teammates, against my all my friends, my buddies.
“It’s going to be different but I’m looking forward to it. I love every single guy on that team. But again, once the puck’s going to be dropped it’s going to be straight business. After the game I’m sure we’ll chat and we’ll laugh and we’ll joke again.”
The Panthers acquired Kindl in a Feb. 27 deal with Detroit and even though he was frequently a healthy scratch during his time with the Wings, he indicated no bitterness toward how things worked out for him.
“As you look at our roster, we had a lot of good left-handed defensemen, so someone has to be the odd man out,” said Kindl, curiously referring to himself as if he was still part of the Detroit organization. “Of course it ended up being me. It was a little disappointment but that’s all in the past and I’m just looking forward to a fresh start.
“I’m only going to have good memories of Detroit. I met a lot of good people, a lot of great people. I have a lot of friends on the team, a lot of great people I played with.
“It’s a good memory.”
His old Wings teammates appreciated how Kindl handled the often difficult task he faced as an extra player with the team who never knew when he was going to play.
“He was awesome here,” Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard said. “Even with the hand that he was dealt, he always came to the rink with a positive attitude and worked his rear end off.
“It’s great to see a guy like that get an opportunity.”
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