nate94gt 134 Report post Posted April 21, 2011 dude has had a great year, IMO. sure, a few slip ups here and there, but he is absolutely terrific on the power play, has broken up some nice 2 on 1s, and has played pretty damn good hockey since coming back this season after getting his knee injury last year, which you could tell was bothering him last season after returning. Loving this guy. Stuart and Kronners #1 and #2 defensemen when Lids finally decides to hang them up will be nice. What are your takes? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted April 21, 2011 He's the new ironman, it seems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nate94gt 134 Report post Posted April 21, 2011 2 Bar Down and Klunzo reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooon 1,089 Report post Posted April 21, 2011 I loves me some Kronwall. In addition to all the things the OP said, he also had a few big game winning goals if I'm not mistaken. Just hope he Havsplats a few people this playoff run. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miss Wing Queen 154 Report post Posted April 22, 2011 I loves me some Kronwall. In addition to all the things the OP said, he also had a few big game winning goals if I'm not mistaken. Just hope he Havsplats a few people this playoff run. That is my new favorite verb! Kronner has been excellent this year. He said himself that at points during this season, he was overthinking and making some dumb mistakes, and he really tried to work on those. It seems he has because he made some really great moves this series. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hack & Whack Rule! 160 Report post Posted April 22, 2011 It is scientific fact that, although it would be a complete shutdown defense with Kronwall and Stuart playing together, Kronwall does not actually need a partner. This will allow for more resting time for the other d-men while Kronner is on the ice. Having that extra time to rest will allow the other d-men to perform that much better. On a related sidenote, there are tests being done (as I write this) to determine whether or not Kronwall could actually populate an entire line on his own. The theory is that if the other four skaters are taken off the ice as well, there is more room for Kronwall to "work his magic". 1 Hockeymom1960 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted April 22, 2011 He scored more goals, and was a little better defensively, but I'm not ready to pretend he's "turned the corner". Hell, he's 30, he shouldn't need to stop overthinking. When does that go away? He had almost 20 less assists than his last full year. His +/- was almost 20 lower than the year before that ( I know, useless stat…). Plus, I don't really recall many big hits. Yeah, I'm jaded by my Lidstrom hard-on, but I don't think this was a standout year for Kronner. He did well. I thought he could do better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted April 22, 2011 He had a mediocre season, but has had a beast of the playoffs. I'm happy the Stanley Cup winning Kronwall is playing and not the one we saw last year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JPT 26 Report post Posted April 22, 2011 Kronwall really had a great series against Phoenix and I would even say thats the best hockey I've seen from him. He was touted as having a ton of potential and we've seen flashes here and there but never anything as sustained as during this first round. He had a good, not great, season. He blocked a lot of shots and although his offensive stats were less than in years past he was solid overall. I do hope we see a few big hits from him in these playoffs! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted April 22, 2011 He had a mediocre season, but has had a beast of the playoffs. I'm happy the Stanley Cup winning Kronwall is playing and not the one we saw last year. Right. This type of thread sort of lets you in on how forgiving people can be once the W's roll around. Kronner pinched waaayyyy too much this season, imo but his playoffs have been nothing short of spectacular so far. The pinches worked toward goals, he was dogged on the puck, and was absolutely stellar in his own zone. He got an honorable mention from me for MVP in that 1st round. Helping Salei look pretty darn good too I might add Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jollymania 162 Report post Posted April 22, 2011 his playoffs have been great so far, yeah he needs more physicality, but his offensive game has been fun to watch Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted April 22, 2011 his playoffs have been great so far, yeah he needs more physicality, but his offensive game has been fun to watch Since when do you say nice things? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Travis 576 Report post Posted April 22, 2011 Glad to see people backing up Kronner. He had an amazing series. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedLightGoesOn 81 Report post Posted April 22, 2011 He was a workhorse for us in this series. Scored and played solid defense. No need for him to go out of his way and Kronwall people when he is turning into a key player for us (most minutes per game during the series). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ogreslayer 1,069 Report post Posted April 22, 2011 Good story on Kronner taking on more of a leadership role this year on the freep the other day for anyone who didn't see it: http://www.freep.com/article/20110421/SPORTS05/104210439/1053/sports05/Niklas-Kronwall-shows-worth-blueline Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mabuhay Red Wings 177 Report post Posted April 22, 2011 Really makes you think about who will get the next A on their jersey. When Lidstrom and Draper decide its over then perhaps Kronwall and Helm will be the next assistant captains. Even though I think Cleary deserves an A on his jersey I also think it makes a good statement to have a grinder with that kind of status. Hell, give As to everybody!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted April 22, 2011 Thanks for the article, Ogreslayer. Yeah. I think this Kronwall guy's kind of ok. I actually prefer that he keep the Kronwalling to a minimum during the regular season- just enough that opposing players remember what he can do- and then give it in the playoffs. I also think he should get the A once Drapes is gone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted April 22, 2011 Really makes you think about who will get the next A on their jersey. When Lidstrom and Draper decide its over then perhaps Kronwall and Helm will be the next assistant captains. Even though I think Cleary deserves an A on his jersey I also think it makes a good statement to have a grinder with that kind of status. Hell, give As to everybody!!! As much as I love Helm, he is still just 23. Cleary will get the A before him. I think it'll be a three way rotation between Krons, Cleary and Datsyuk. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted April 22, 2011 As much as I love Helm, he is still just 23. Cleary will get the A before him. I think it'll be a three way rotation between Krons, Cleary and Datsyuk. Rafalski. 1 Klunzo reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoWings1905 2,694 Report post Posted April 22, 2011 I'm fairly certain Kronwall wore the second "A" ahead of Rafalski late in the season until Kronner himself got hurt. I remember a game when Pavel was still out, Draper was a healthy scratch, and Kronwall was the other A. I think he will ultimately get it too once Nick retires a long time from now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted April 22, 2011 I'm fairly certain Kronwall wore the second "A" ahead of Rafalski late in the season until Kronner himself got hurt. Yes, he did. And that was for the 10 goal St. Louis game. Being superstitious as hell, just give it to friggen Stuart 1 55fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted April 22, 2011 Rafalski. I'm not sure he'll be here when Lidas retires. If he is, then switch my Cleary pick with RafLOLski. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
