How critical has Kronwall been?

[Herr Hockey 0]

I'm having some trouble thinking this one through myself, so I need some help. The Wings have had a great season this year, and part of that can undoubtedly be credited to our stellar defense. However, we so many key players in our defense, that it's hard to measure their individual contributions (except for lidstrom of course, who is +36).

How much of this season's success left the ice with Kronwall last game? And is our defense so good that it won't make a difference in our game?

Edited April 1, 2007 by Herr Hockey

[gowings1985 0]

Our D is definately not "so good" that they don't have to worry about Kronwall, but he has definately not been what many thought he would be this season. His loss is a minor blow at worst, I am fully confident enough in Lebda to step up and play some good hockey for the Wings throughout the playoffs, lets just hope those extra minutes aren't given to Lilja though!

[Zion 93]

Due to his size and not horrible play the last few games, Andreas Lilja will be a regular in the playoffs.

[glasgowcelticwing 18]

I'm absolutely gutted about kronner's injury problem's because he's part of the defencive unit that has been so successful this season and it's crazy to say we won't miss him.

[puckloo39 5,686]

Due to his size and not horrible play the last few games, Andreas Lilja will be a regular in the playoffs.

I like that descriptor, "not horrible," for Lilja. I hate that we lost Kronner again, but our D is solid, they will adjust. Unless we don't get Nick Lidstrom back, and then all bets are off.

[Quadnational 3]

As the Freep says today, Kronwall "leads the team with 99 blocked shots and is fourth in hits (92)." So he's a good shot blocker and physical player, which will be missed to some extent, but I don't think he contributed all that much to offense. In the playoffs, players tend to step up the shot blocking and hitting and I think we've got guys who'll step up, like Lilja. Another thing about Kronner is his size, I think he's just a little too small to handle the hits laid on defenses in today's game, and that's why he's getting injured.

Over the last few months Lebda has really impressed me with his speed and skill. If the team had to lose one of the two, I'm glad it's not him. I think Quincey will do as good a job as Kronwall, and being a little bigger than him will be good for the playoffs.

So, like people have said, I think it's a small impact on the team but one that can be made up for.

[TimeBinder 28]

We need the pain train in the playoffs- to put the pimp slap on other goons - he was only holding onto Moen's leg at the end to show him mercy.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Lilja is a great shot blocker and he’s very effective on the PK, we’ll be alright.

[Heaton 1]

Lilja is a great shot blocker and he’s very effective on the PK, we’ll be alright.

It's the time when we're not on the PK that it's the problem. Kronwall isn't as fast as Lebda, but he's definitely one of the more mobile defensemen that we have. We all saw what happened on the GWG last year in game 6.

Lilja will be able to step in and add 8-12 minutes a game, but you guys have to remember that Kronner was logging at least 20 mins every game. That's a big hole to fill.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

It's the time when we're not on the PK that it's the problem. Kronwall isn't as fast as Lebda, but he's definitely one of the more mobile defensemen that we have. We all saw what happened on the GWG last year in game 6.

Lilja will be able to step in and add 8-12 minutes a game, but you guys have to remember that Kronner was logging at least 20 mins every game. That's a big hole to fill.

True, and I’d hate to see how much time Lidstrom will average now. My word he’s got a task ahead of him. And there are fewer penalties called in the playoffs so we won’t need Lilja too often on the PK.

Kronwall has been paired with Nick for most of the season, correct? Wonder who’s going to take his spot…

[CloudConnected 0]

It's the time when we're not on the PK that it's the problem. Kronwall isn't as fast as Lebda, but he's definitely one of the more mobile defensemen that we have. We all saw what happened on the GWG last year in game 6.

Lilja will be able to step in and add 8-12 minutes a game, but you guys have to remember that Kronner was logging at least 20 mins every game. That's a big hole to fill.

Spot on. There's been a lot of Kronwall detractors on this site, but he logs a lot of minutes for us, hits and blocks shots. Can Lebda and Lilja handle the extra load on top of what they're already asked to do? That is the main question with the playoffs around the corner. Hopefully they both step up.

[BlueMonk 102]

I had high expectations for Kronwall this year. I don't know whether it was injuries or difficulty adapting to the NHL, but he's been a big disappointment this year. He's the only defenseman on the team who isn't on the plus side of plus/minus. He has shown no ability to contribute to scoring. He is mobile and he does have a knack for hitting and blocking shots. But I think we all expected more from him than that.

We keep looking at what this does to the Wings' chances, but remember, all teams are facing injury situations, and many of them are more damaging than this one is to the Wings. It's just a fact of life in this league.

[wingsfan_4_life 0]

As long as Zetterberg is back 100 percent and this Lidstrom back injury is nothing then we should be fine without Kronwall

[Mila 0]

We can play also without Kronwall, unless another D-man gets injured it should not harm as much.

As for his performance this year, I think that signing of such huge contract was a part of his below expectations play this year and it didn't bring anything positive for him except $$$. Maybe he would have played better without having being awarded with such contract. I'm sure he can play better than he's showed up to now.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Kronwall is important is some senses, but his givaways will surely not be missed. His hitting will be though.

Let's just Pain Trainâ„¢ can step in and make up for the physical play that will be lost without Kronwall. He has been playing better lately, so he just might.

[chelios4eva 0]

CHELIOS WILL HANDLE ALL

[Guest Tunbo Batman]

he's not vital at all. big disappointment to me. does he have a goal this year? all i ca think of are his giveaways and bonehead plays.

[SwedeLundin77 460]

Lilja has actually been playing a lot stronger lately, he stuck up for himself a few games ago and actually faught, he's been hard to play against lately. The guy may be a pylon at times, but as long has he has good positioning, he'll be fine. I'm not too concerned with him in the playoffs as long as he plays the way he has the past 5 or so games.

[superstarsingh 23]

Kronwall is important is some senses, but his givaways will surely not be missed. His hitting will be though.

Let's just Pain Trainâ„¢ can step in and make up for the physical play that will be lost without Kronwall. He has been playing better lately, so he just might.

Trademark. Genius.

[blgillett 48]

He does block a lot of shots, but I for one am tired of watching him give the puck up in the defensive zone.

[Hank 0]

Our D is definately not "so good" that they don't have to worry about Kronwall, but he has definately not been what many thought he would be this season. His loss is a minor blow at worst, I am fully confident enough in Lebda to step up and play some good hockey for the Wings throughout the playoffs, lets just hope those extra minutes aren't given to Lilja though!

I agree. At this point in both careers I would say Lebda has elevated his worth to almost equal Kronwall's. Kronwall is still looked at as a potential #1 or #2 dman but with the way he plays and how he's built we'll be lucky to ever get a full season out of Kroner. Lebda is going to be a very solid #3-#6 dman the next 3-5 years.

Losing Kronwall isn't going to hurt as much as some might think. The only way it can really hurt is if Leilja has to play more important minutes. Then we'll be in trouble.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

It's the time when we're not on the PK that it's the problem. Kronwall isn't as fast as Lebda, but he's definitely one of the more mobile defensemen that we have. We all saw what happened on the GWG last year in game 6.

Lilja will be able to step in and add 8-12 minutes a game, but you guys have to remember that Kronner was logging at least 20 mins every game. That's a big hole to fill.

QFT

Lilja isn't going to make up for Kronner's 20 minutes per game, which means more strain on the other regulars.

Losing Kronwall isn't the worst thing that could happen, but its not good either.

[Turretin 0]

Anyone else wish that we didn't have 5 more years committed to him? 3-4 probably would have been better (then again, I don't know if Kronner was pushing for extra years in exchange for a lower salary).

[betterREDthandead 58]

Lilja will be able to step in and add 8-12 minutes a game, but you guys have to remember that Kronner was logging at least 20 mins every game. That's a big hole to fill.

Yeah, but not necessarily 20 good minutes. I won't go so far as to say we're better off without Kronwall, but it's amazing how often the puck slips off his stick in the wrong direction. If we had to lose a non-Lilja defenseman, Kronwall might just be the best choice.

[Covenant 0]

We need the pain train in the playoffs- to put the pimp slap on other goons - he was only holding onto Moen's leg at the end to show him mercy.

LOL - you crack me up, I love the "Pain Train" nick and how it stuck immediately.

In all seriousness, I haven't liked Kronwall's play at all this year, if anything he seemed to have regressed somewhat, in everything. I don't want to rip on a guy who went down, but as blasphemous as this seems to say, I think besides the "Train", he was the most expendable. Now, do we really want Kyle Quincey to have to fill in Game 7 vs. the Flames @ the Joe?

Edited April 3, 2007 by Covenant