Has Kronwall Been Our Best Defenseman In These Playoffs?

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I remember Babcock saying a while back that Kronwall has been our best defenseman in the playoffs, and at first I thought it was just a compliment, but now I'm wondering if it might be true.

Obviously, Lidstrom is still our best D-man, but I don't think it would be unfair to say that Kronwall has been the best in these playoffs. In fact, Lidstrom is playing several minutes less a game than what he's normally used to, which is probably due to Kronwall's awesome play. Also, Kronwall has been scoring just as much as Nick has, and hasn't made any bad mistakes in his own zone. Not to mention those bone crunching hits, which other teams know they're not going to have to fear from Lidstrom. Of course, Lidstrom is still our most important D-man, because we can win without Kronwall, but we can't win without Lidstrom, but it's just something I wanted to ask.

Anyway, what do you guys think? Is it a stretch to say that Kronwall has been better in this year's playoffs than Lidstrom?

[fastballspecial 0]

I can't say if he's been the best, but he's been a mother freakin' beast. that's for sure.

[Firehawk 305]

He's been a beast, but I think without Lidstrom, the defense would fall apart a bit. You can't replace Lidstrom because of his poise, leadership, and solid defense (often you don't even know he's out there he's so perfect).

Kronwall has been a very important piece to the puzzle this year. I love it when he steps into people, and he does it without taking penalties.

[KrazyGangsta 79]

He's been a beast, but I think without Lidstrom, the defense would fall apart a bit. You can't replace Lidstrom because of his poise, leadership, and solid defense (often you don't even know he's out there he's so perfect).

Kronwall has been a very important piece to the puzzle this year. I love it when he steps into people, and he does it without taking penalties.

Exactly but the funny thing is even if he does get a penalty it's allright cause the other team is scared ... at some points last game I saw some times the pens just chipping the puck out of their zone instead of coming out with it due to kronwall being around there ... anyone else realised that?

[RedWingedKitten 9]

If Kronwall can keep up this play all season long then I would feel a little better when Lids retires.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

If Kronwall can keep up this play all season long then I would feel a little better when Lids retires.

I wouldn't go that far just yet. Without Lidstrom, I don't think we'll see anymore automatic 1st place finishes or perennial Cup favorites talk.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I wouldn't go that far just yet. Without Lidstrom, I don't think we'll see anymore automatic 1st place finishes or perennial Cup favorites talk.

Yeah, I've always though Lidstrom is the engine that runs the puck possession offense. But Kronwall has been awesome this playoffs. He's been solid defensively, and definitely has guys thinking twice with the puck in open ice.

[sinbin 3]

Yeah, I've always though Lidstrom is the engine that runs the puck possession offense. But Kronwall has been awesome this playoffs. He's been solid defensively, and definitely has guys thinking twice with the puck in open ice.

AMEN!

[Grim 5]

I'm not terribly impressed with Kronner on the point during the PP. he doesn't know when to shoot, nor does he keep pucks in the zone. Dare I say, put Sammy back on the PP point second unit??

Kronwall has an uncanny knack for open-ice hits. although I don't think Kronwall intimidates anyone... he sure does boost our team's momentum and morale.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I'm not terribly impressed with Kronner on the point during the PP. he doesn't know when to shoot, nor does he keep pucks in the zone. Dare I say, put Sammy back on the PP point second unit??

Kronwall has an uncanny knack for open-ice hits. although I don't think Kronwall intimidates anyone... he sure does boost our team's momentum and morale.

Most of his PP points occured due to Franzen scoring off of passes or tip-ins from point shots. With Franzen gone, Kronwall has not scored as often, but is still playing great out there.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I'm not terribly impressed with Kronner on the point during the PP. he doesn't know when to shoot, nor does he keep pucks in the zone. Dare I say, put Sammy back on the PP point second unit??

Kronwall has an uncanny knack for open-ice hits. although I don't think Kronwall intimidates anyone... he sure does boost our team's momentum and morale.

He has 12 assists, which leads all defensemen for the playoffs. A fair amount of those assists are on deflected shots/goals that he has originally taken.

[Nev 1,085]

Has Kronwall Been Our Best Defenseman In These Playoffs?

Dunno about that, but he's certainly been our most noticable defenseman these playoffs.

And, outstanding as he has been, don't forget he's out there against the oppositions 2nd line most of the time. Nick still draws the top line.

[Reds4Life 51]

Kronner is a beast. He is great defensively, offensively, provides some momentum with his epic checks..he is finally reaching his potential

And as a bonus healthy Kronwall is a bargain for 3million per year, signed through 11/12 season!

But Lids is still no.1 for sure.

Edited May 25, 2008 by Reds4Life

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I was going to say that he is a contender for the Conn Smyth Trophy. He won't win it but seriously, he has been amazing. And this is coming from a guy who used to get stuck into him at every opportunity. He has finally delivered on his potential and is playing some unbelievable hockey.

[aflac9262 211]

I think Kronwall has been (bill walton voice) unbelievable, but it still feels safest when Lidstrom is out there. I recall Lidstrom saving a goal or two that was trickling through but cleared it away. Kronwall has had some huge hits and big assists, while providing great defense. It's hard to say really, I could go either way really. He's really showed what he's capable of when he's healthy.

[LIDDYGIBBY5 1]

I remember Babcock saying a while back that Kronwall has been our best defenseman in the playoffs, and at first I thought it was just a compliment, but now I'm wondering if it might be true.

Obviously, Lidstrom is still our best D-man, but I don't think it would be unfair to say that Kronwall has been the best in these playoffs. In fact, Lidstrom is playing several minutes less a game than what he's normally used to, which is probably due to Kronwall's awesome play. Also, Kronwall has been scoring just as much as Nick has, and hasn't made any bad mistakes in his own zone. Not to mention those bone crunching hits, which other teams know they're not going to have to fear from Lidstrom. Of course, Lidstrom is still our most important D-man, because we can win without Kronwall, but we can't win without Lidstrom, but it's just something I wanted to ask.

Anyway, what do you guys think? Is it a stretch to say that Kronwall has been better in this year's playoffs than Lidstrom?

I don't like the idea that he has been the best D-men because he hasn't had a major meltdown. There is a higher expectation for a team that is only three wins away from a championship.

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

Kronwall has reminded me a lot of PHanuef in these playoffs.

Id say if Phanuef is the prototype power defensemen and is ranked a 100 than Kronwall is a 90 at least

[NHLrules? 32]

Could you imagine is we still had Fish?

<Chills>

Kronner and Fish just killing fools at center ice.

[Dabura 12,232]

Is it a stretch to say that Kronwall has been better in this year's playoffs than Lidstrom?

Yes, a big one. Next question.

[VM1138 1,921]

Kronwall probably can't become one of the best while he's hitting people. He's amazing, but to be truly like Lidstrom he'd have to focus entirely on the game itself. So I feel confident of our post-Lidstrom era, but I'd prefer it if he focused on puck possession set ups and train Stuart to better time his hits to replace him in that role.

[PaVel DaTsYuK fan13 0]

Although Kronwall and Nick have been better, you can even make a legit case for Rafalski. He has been excellent defensively, and has done an awesome job offensively as well.

[Earthhuman 8]

I think Kronwall has been (bill walton voice) unbelievable, but it still feels safest when Lidstrom is out there. I recall Lidstrom saving a goal or two that was trickling through but cleared it away. Kronwall has had some huge hits and big assists, while providing great defense. It's hard to say really, I could go either way really. He's really showed what he's capable of when he's healthy.

Crosby had one in the bank, really all it would have taken was to be a split-second faster, but Lidstrom's stick was right there, hugging the bottom corner. And again before that, while Crosby was at the side of the net on the PP, Lidstrom grabbed his stick and went to the ice, saving another goal. Think of it this way- would the Wings have won if they went into the second period down two goals? Maybe, maybe not. Lidstrom is still the best.

Kronwall has been amazing though- probably the major difference between the year's playoff run and the last.

[Dabura 12,232]

I'd like to see Rafalski get a little more credit around here. True, he has a brain fart every now and then, and true, he's paired with Nick -- but all in all, he's been fantastic this run.

[Earthhuman 8]

Although Kronwall and Nick have been better, you can even make a legit case for Rafalski. He has been excellent defensively, and has done an awesome job offensively as well.

Rafalski has been doing everything we expect from him, but, as somebody else eluded to, he hasn't been as /noticeable/. To much Stanley Cup experience, I guess.

Edited May 25, 2008 by Earthhuman

[kylee 727]

i was so pumped during game 1 yesterday when Kronwall was throwing his body, and when a Pen (i cant remember who) seemed to slightly flinch while he was taking the puck down the boards and then dumped it in. it was awesome, i think yesterday was Kronwall's best game yet these playoffs!