Kronwall

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

He's a great puck mover and a pretty good skater. His weakness is that he gets injured too often, and doesn't have a threatening shot from the point. Any comparisons to him and Lidstrom have been ridiculous. At Kronwall's age, Lidstrom was already one of the top 5 defenseman in the league, which is a label that Kronwall will never be able to attain.

[StaticWithABeat 0]

Well he's 26, not exactly a kid anymore, and has done nothing to lead me to believe he's anything more than an average defenseman. Lebda has been better up to this point in their respective careers.

Then again, it's hard to say anything for sure until he gets an injury-free season under his belt...that is, if he ever plays one.

[Heaton 1]

Do people forget that Lebda plays virtually zero penalty kill time and is never put into a position where they need his defensive game. Lebda is strictly a 5 on 5 guy with good speed, his potential does not exceed that.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Define "something" because at worst Kronwall was our 4th best defensemen last year who played in every situation and led the team in blocked shots. It wasn't the type of season everyone was hoping for, but it could've been a lot worse.

Enough with the stats already! They dont mean s*** all. Kronwalls problem is he's out of position alot, and makes terrible plays with the puck. Fans/fumbles on alot of open ice passes. I dont hate the guy, but being the leading shot blocker on the red wings doesnt count for much. I really hope this season, he stops playing stupid and plays more positionallly sound and smart hockey. He can keep on hitting as none of our defenceman hit, but he needs to be smart about it.

[Heaton 1]

Enough with the stats already! They dont mean s*** all. Kronwalls problem is he's out of position alot, and makes terrible plays with the puck. Fans/fumbles on alot of open ice passes. I dont hate the guy, but being the leading shot blocker on the red wings doesnt count for much. I really hope this season, he stops playing stupid and plays more positionallly sound and smart hockey. He can keep on hitting as none of our defenceman hit, but he needs to be smart about it.

If you don't want stats or facts, stop portraying your opinion as such.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

If you don't want stats or facts, stop portraying your opinion as such.

Hey man- stop thinking with your head and start thinking with your gut. There are more nerve endings in the gut then in the head. Go check it out.

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

If you don't want stats or facts, stop portraying your opinion as such.

[J-Swift 0]

I mean really he’s just a glorified Lilja at present.

That's awfully harsh. No one would ever accuse Kronwall of not using his size to his advantage, and he's twice the skater Lilja is any day of the week.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

I mean really he’s just a glorified Lilja at present.

Oh no you did not.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I mean really he’s just a glorified Lilja at present.

No, he isn't.

[Guest Yzer19]

Enough with the stats already! They dont mean s*** all. Kronwalls problem is he's out of position alot, and makes terrible plays with the puck. Fans/fumbles on alot of open ice passes. I dont hate the guy, but being the leading shot blocker on the red wings doesnt count for much. I really hope this season, he stops playing stupid and plays more positionallly sound and smart hockey. He can keep on hitting as none of our defenceman hit, but he needs to be smart about it.

Kronwall's biggest problem has been injuries. He needs to find a way to stay healthy.

[Izzy24 44]

I kinda think the same way too, He does seem a little overrated to me. I just went on my rant about how Lebda gets no respect but everyone talks about Kronwall, Lebda will end up better than Kronwall.

At hockey?

[Rob the Badger 0]

When Kronwall is able to stay healthy, there will be plenty of room left on his band wagon when the haters on this board do their normal 180 and start jockeying for him to be the next captain of the org. Nik has a lot of skill and tons of potential that he will reach when he stays healthy. He's been a beast in international competitions and carried the Griffins on his back while he was in GR. He's had tough luck with injuries, that has been the only thing preventing him from NHL glory.

[stormboy 47]

i think that kronner has a lot of potential. other than the injuries, i agree with those who say that he's out of position a LOT and fans or fumbles the puck in some pretty nasty situations. to me, i think that with a full season under his belt of playing regularly, a lot of those mental mistakes will clean themselves up. but that's back to the whole issue of whether or not he CAN stay injury free. i can't speak to whether it's "bad luck" or if he's just injury prone...i hope it's the former, and that karma will be nice to him this season. only time will tell, but i haven't given up hope that he'll be a damn good d-man, and just the one we need. i think it's possible, but not guaranteed.

[Guest Lebda4Pres]

When Kronwall is able to stay healthy, there will be plenty of room left on his band wagon when the haters on this board do their normal 180 and start jockeying for him to be the next captain of the org. Nik has a lot of skill and tons of potential that he will reach when he stays healthy. He's been a beast in international competitions and carried the Griffins on his back while he was in GR. He's had tough luck with injuries, that has been the only thing preventing him from NHL glory.

HAHAHA if Kronner is the NExt Captain not zeke I will personally change my name to Niklas Kronwall

Edited September 17, 2007 by Lebda4Pres

[BringHomeTheCup! 0]

When Kronwall is able to stay healthy, there will be plenty of room left on his band wagon when the haters on this board do their normal 180 and start jockeying for him to be the next captain of the org. Nik has a lot of skill and tons of potential that he will reach when he stays healthy. He's been a beast in international competitions and carried the Griffins on his back while he was in GR. He's had tough luck with injuries, that has been the only thing preventing him from NHL glory.

First, when ihas Kronwall able to stay healthy? All signs point to a serious injury at some point in this season.

Second, it doesn't matter how much skill or potential he may have. He hasn't proved any of that.

Third, it doesn't matter what he has done anywhere outside of the NHL. Why? Because he hasn't done anything in the NHL.

Finally, Kronwall is a decent dman when he is healthy and paired with someone who is better than he is. Comparing apples to apples, I'd take Lebda for a few reasons.

1. He can stay healthy enough to play.

2. He has incredible speed ( I for one would love to see a Rafalski, Lebda pairing.)

3. Leba has proven to be more effective for the Wings. You should see him get more ice time on the PP and PK this year.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Why is this turning out to be a Lebda vs. Kronwall thread? Lebda is just dandy doing what he does, and Kronwall will be amazing when healthy. End of story.

[clutchngrab 12]

I am not to impressed I think he makes some bad decsions but in his defense when he gets anything going he gets injured, so I'd say the jury is still out

I agree, he has all the basic skills and great mobility. However, I have been a little disappointed with some of his decision making and offensive production. Once he consistently figures out the NHL game as opposed to the International game, he should be good - providing he figures out how to go get pucks without getting plastered. The new NHL is not kind to defensemen that don't have a good sense of self-preservation.

Hey man- stop thinking with your head and start thinking with your gut. There are more nerve endings in the gut then in the head. Go check it out.

Have you researched how many nerve endings are in your ass?

[clutchngrab 12]

Why is this turning out to be a Lebda vs. Kronwall thread? Lebda is just dandy doing what he does, and Kronwall will be amazing when healthy. End of story.

Really, you think Kronwall is "amazing"? I haven't seen it yet - though this year will be the make or break. To be the #3 dman on Detroit has a bit of pressure that Kronwall has yet to handle.

[Guest LivingtheDream]

I thought being a D Swede led to some genetic capability to make smart plays, but Kronwall proves that wrong with his excessive bone head plays and giveaways. That is what he needs to work on and playing a full season might just be the ticket to getting it together. Too many Kronwal Homers here.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Have you researched how many nerve endings are in your ass?

No. But I'd bet you'd love to. Sicko.

[KrazyGangsta 79]

Kronwall ... ---> From what i've seen so far ... average defensemen Sometimes lays a big hit ... sometimes screws up in defensive zone sometimes makes good defensive plays = Danny Markov (they end up always getting injured)

Kronwall pretty much reminds me of markov unless he improves his game this year wich i hope he does cause my expectations were high.

Lebda ... is fast sometimes uses his small body doesn't get that injured...

Kronwall > Lebda

Let's not forget Kronwall most of the times plays against the better lines on the other team ... but im not too sold on him yet ...

But I dont know why but i would actually prefer my lines on defense be like this

Lidstrom Sopel

Rafalski Kindl

Chelios Lilja / Quincey

Give the rookies some chance to improve ... and i would actually trade kronwall get a valuable forward sniper or a gritty player ...

[datsyukismyfriend 4]

Why is this turning out to be a Lebda vs. Kronwall thread? Lebda is just dandy doing what he does, and Kronwall will be amazing when healthy. End of story.

when kronwall's been healthy he hasn't come close to amazing. kronwall's been mediocre at best to this point in his career. he has potential for sure. but loads of guys have potential. it's whether they can put it all together. and more often than not guys with potential can't quite put it all together. if kronwall can get it figured out he could be a good top 4 guy, absolutely. but i haven't seen evidence that he can put it all together at the nhl level. aside from his propensity for injury, he makes a lot of big mistakes defensively and has done next to nothing on offense.

if kronwall gets it all together i will be the first to jump on his "bandwagon", trust me, but until he does, potential doesn't mean dick.