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Kronwall solid in limited role |
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After the way the 2016-17 campaign played out, it was fair to say that no one - Niklas Kronwall included - could venture more than an educated guess as to what to expect from the veteran Detroit Red Wings defenseman this season. A chronic knee problem plagued Kronwall all through last season and made it seem abundantly clear that not only were his best days behind him, but his days as an NHL regular were at best numbed.
When injury scuttled virtually the entire training camp and preseason for the 37-year-old rearguard, those fears seemed well-founded.
“Everyone that has been in this locker room and has spent a lot of time here knows what he’s gone through the last 10 years with his body and how he battles through everything with his work ethic, and how he shows the young players how to do things right,” Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg said.
So what did Kronwall do this season? He went out and played in 78 of Detroit’s 81 games so far, after missing a combined 43 games over the previous two seasons. If he suits up for Saturday’s season finale against the New York Islanders - and there’s no reason to suspect that he won’t - Kronwall will have appeared in his most games in a single season since playing 80 games in 2014-15.
His four goals are the most Kronwall has scored since he netted nine in 2014-15 and his 26 points are Kronwall’s highest number since his 44-point output, also in 2014-15.
Now, no one is saying today’s Kronwall is the Kronwall of old, a player who was a borderline NHL all-star.
“I have as much respect for Niklas Kronwall as any player, Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “Probably similar to Z (Zetterberg). I think he’s been an underrated defenseman for a long time.
“I was here when he was right in his prime as an assistant (coach in 2011-12). He was always in the shadows with Nick Lidstrom, but he was such a two-way defenseman. He brought the physical element, he brings the offense, he’s done such a good job over the years and there’s not a better pro.”
The challenge for many veteran pros is figuring out where they fit into the grand plan as their skills begin to erode, and to be able to allow their ego to handle a lesser role with the team. It’s what Steve Yzerman did with the Wings when his knee injuries grew to a point where he could no longer be a first-line player, and it’s also what Bryan Trottier did later in his career. The No. 1 center and key cog when the New York Islanders won four Stanley Cups from 1980-83, Trottier accepted a checking-line role with the Pittsburgh Penguins and won two more Cups in 1990-91 and 1991-92.
For the majority of this season, Kronwall has skated as a regular in Detroit’s third defensive pairing. He still logs significant ice time on the power play but seldom is utilized to kill penalties.
“Kronner still thinks his way around the rink great,” Blashill said. “Kronner still does lots of good stuff. But I think in his prime, Kronner was a No. 1 defenseman on most teams and never got the credit for it.
“Again, he’s still a real good player. He makes his partners better generally because he can help think for them. He’s a great outlet passer still, and he still does a good job on the power play.
“Kronner still adds to your chance to win, but certainly when you’re looking at Kronner’s career in totality, I thought during the prime of his career he was one of the way underrated players in the league.”
Kronwall is loathe to discuss the physical challenges he faces, or use them as a crutch or excuse, just as he doesn’t speculate much on what the future holds heading into next, which would be the final year of his contract with the Wings.
“I think at the end of the day when guys get older, everyone goes through their ups and downs,” Kronwall said. “It’s part of the game and I’m no different than anybody else.
“At the end of the day, I’m happy that I’m out there competing. Obviously, I’d like for us to be in a very different spot than we are but in saying that, I’m happy that I’m out there playing every night.”
Based on his performance this season, there’s no reason to expect that he won’t be back playing every night again next season. And there’s no longer cause to consider that concept to be absurd.
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