Kronwall in the Playoffs

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

In the playoffs, since Lidstrom retired, Kronwall's stats read like this.

25GP, 1G, 5A

Simply not good enough from your #1 defenseman in the playoffs. Even his biggest fans here who claims he's a legit #1 will have a hard time defending those stats. I know Ericsson is a cog and the rest of the defense is underwhelming talent wise, but Kronwall just hasn't been very clutch for us. I expected more from him when Lidstrom retired.

We need to find a #1 defenseman. That's what this team needs more than anything. I know it doesn't grow on trees or in lower draft picks, but it's our biggest need. Even more than a legit scoring winger with size.

[evilmrt 636]

Maybe this is why Holland was keen to acquire Phaneuf?

Yeah - he's over paid, and probably over rated, but truth be told - he could very well be our #1 Dman this summer.

Do you think that Toronto wants "very very very disappointing" Mantha now??

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Maybe this is why Holland was keen to acquire Phaneuf?

Yeah - he's over paid, and probably over rated, but truth be told - he could very well be our #1 Dman this summer.

You'd think so, but Phaneuf's goal scoring numbers this season make Bob Rouse look like a scorer.

[atodaso 279]

A Kronwall - DeKeyser second line pairing and Quincey - Marchenko/Ouellet third line pairing is what this team should have in order to be a contender. That means signing a #1 and #2 d-man because not one of our guys is top line calibre (if we are to be considered elite again). But that's not very likely so we are probably going to be stuck with mediocrity for a bit longer.

[chaps80 1,591]

1G 5A in 25 GP??? Man, I did'nt think his stats were THAT bad.

Kronwall is def not a #1 guy, but I could say that without looking at his stats. lol

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

That depends how 'others' - aka - not Jimmy D - rate Mantha.

I'll be the 1st to admit about knowing little about our prospects, but maybe it's time for Jimmy D to retire - Holland to assume his role - and for Babs to stay as coach AND GM.

Well - to be Capt. Obvious - it's not like his teammates were of any help.

Somehow a new team for Phaneuf might do wonders for his career...Rumors were he was looking forward to be a Red Wing at the deadline.

This is true, his teammates do suck. At the same time, you want your #1 defenseman (and in his case captain), to make others around him better. I don't think Phaneuf ever really did this. He ended up being a waste of time for the Leafs.

1G 5A in 25 GP??? Man, I did'nt think his stats were THAT bad.

Kronwall is def not a #1 guy, but I could say that without looking at his stats. lol

He's scored as many goals into his own net during that time than the other team's net.

His problem is, his shot seems to have gotten worse over time. Not talking about power, but accuracy. He either misses the net completely or hits the shot blocker. Granted, he was never a huge goal scorer from the blue line, but the last few postseasons he hasn't taken the bull by the horns being the number one point man on the powerplay.

[number9 3,297]

That depends how 'others' - aka - not Jimmy D - rate Mantha.

I'll be the 1st to admit about knowing little about our prospects, but maybe it's time for Jimmy D to retire - Holland to assume his role - and for Babs to stay as coach AND GM.

Well - to be Capt. Obvious - it's not like his teammates were of any help.

Somehow a new team for Phaneuf might do wonders for his career...Rumors were he was looking forward to be a Red Wing at the deadline.

Babs already said he wants no part in being a GM. He said something along the lines of: I just want a say, and I get plenty of that already. If anyone has the direct quote feel free to share.

[number9 3,297]

I heard/read the same quote, but is that 'smoke & mirrors'?

Ah yes, old Mike smoke n mirrors Babcock.... I bet he secretly hates Glendening too

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

Phaneuf would be a 30-40 pt guy so if so,e of you expect a real number 1 dman you'll be dissapointed ... He'll help solidify the defense and will be a good all around d

Kronwall Phaneuf would be a real good pair

[BobRouse03 31]

You'd think so, but Phaneuf's goal scoring numbers this season make Bob Rouse look like a scorer.

Bob Rouse was underrated! Look who was ready to pounce on that rebound in Game 4 of the '97 series OT clincher against Anaheim when Shanahan swooped in and stole Rouse's moment.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Bob Rouse was underrated! Look who was ready to pounce on that rebound in Game 4 of the '97 series OT clincher against Anaheim when Shanahan swooped in and stole Rouse's moment.

Him and Jamie Macoun are still the greatest 3rd pairing in Wings history. Back then, men were men. Not like the milksops we have nowadays.

Edited May 5, 2015 by GMRwings1983

[number9 3,297]

Who doesn't hate Glendening?

Agreed.

Both guys played with an edge, were quality Dmen (ironically both were Maple Leaf castoffs), and both would drop the gloves when needed.

Mike Babcock

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Who doesn't hate Glendening?

Agreed.

Both guys played with an edge, were quality Dmen (ironically both were Maple Leaf castoffs), and both would drop the gloves when needed.

One was bald and and the other had a manly mustache. Can't beat that experience.

[number9 3,297]

Betcha when Babs becomes GM of the Wings - he's gonna send that loafer Glendening off to Toronto for some Tim Horton donuts.

Betcha when Glendening wins the cup as Datsyuks RW he doesn't eat at Tim Hortons ever again cause Canada is stupid

Edited May 5, 2015 by number9

[wingsfan4795 552]

Kronner was invisible in game 7

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Kronner was invisible in game 7

Still better than the last game 7 he actually played in.

[number9 3,297]

Phaneuf is gonna put Glendening in a head-lock, and force feed him Tim Hortons.

Bank on it!

Sir, that's merely a Leafs wet-dream... but that's all it is, a dream

Dion will be eating Mcdoubles out of Glendenings hands by July

[BottleOfSmoke 5,965]

Betcha when Glendening wins the cup as Datsyuks RW he doesn't eat at Tim Hortons ever again cause Canada is stupid

BOOM

*Glendening flies away from your triflin' ass on the wings of a bald eagle wearing nothing but American flag underpants*

[number9 3,297]

BOOM

*Glendening flies away from your triflin' ass on the wings of a bald eagle wearing nothing but American flag underpants*

Ahhh... living the dream

[wingsfan4795 552]

Still better than the last game 7 he actually played in.

Are you blaming seabrooks deflected shot on kronwall?

[wings_fanatic 677]

Dion would give Kronner a big upgrade over Ericsson. Let's face it Kronner doesn't put points up in the playoffs cuz he has to play safely Because of his D partner not being very good. If you give him dion as a partner then that becomes a very very solid top pairing. Give me

Kronners- dion

Danny d- green

ericsson- quincy

[toby91_ca 620]

Iagree that Kronwall simply isn't a number 1_, he never has been. I'm fine with bringing Dion in, but not if the reasoning is that he's going to be the number 1. I do feel that Dion is a really good player, if put in the right role. Currently, as the captain of the Maple Leafs and number 1, he's just not that guy. In that role he's scrutinized far more than he should be of course, but he'd fare much better as a number 2. Maybe two number 2s in Detroit would work?

I honestly think Kronwall would be best as a 2nd pairing dman, but do accomplish that, you'd have to find 2 bona fide 1st line dmen to bring in and finding 1 is extremely difficult.

[RyanBarnes! 293]

I think a Dion/Kronwall pairing would be great. In all honesty, he is rather alone back there, so it is not too difficult for the opponents to figure out who is going to quarterback the PP.

[WingedWheel91 271]

Can someone help me out here... What is the true meaning of a "#1 Defenseman"? By definition, there should be 30 "#1" Defensemen in the NHL, correct? The answer: It doesn't really matter.

This is because Defensemen play in pairs, they are tandems built based on chemistry and synergy that hopefully play greater than the sum of their parts. Based on definition, I think it would be foolish to say Nick Kronwall is not a top 30 Defenseman in the NHL, so yes, he's #1... But not an elite #1. The other question is, how can anyone honestly rank Defensemen? Points are only a small indication of Defensman's true value to a team... I watched all and (attended 2) of the Red Wings playoffs games this year and can tell you that Kronwall did as good a job at shutting down Steven Stamkos as anyone else, which is his primary responsibility.

The comparison to Nick Lidstrom is completely foolish, yet so often made. Lidstrom is arguably the best defenseman to ever play the game - Bobby Orr was revolutionary and of course had more offensive talent - but there isn't a Defensman in the history of the game to consistently do more for a team than Nick did, don't forget Bobby only played 9 real seasons in the league. To support that point even further, Lidstrom also played with Brian Rafalski for a good chunk of his career - where Kronwall has played mostly with Brad Stuart and Jonathon Ericsson, so its easy to see where a big disparity in point totals would come from.

I would define a true #1 Defenseman as a player who plays on the top pairing, against the other teams best, playing in all situations - contributing offensively (with a good first pass) while being responsible defensively (limiting turnovers) and demonstrates leadership to support the growth of others.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Can someone help me out here... What is the true meaning of a "#1 Defenseman"? By definition, there should be 30 "#1" Defensemen in the NHL, correct? The answer: It doesn't really matter.

This is because Defensemen play in pairs, they are tandems built based on chemistry and synergy that hopefully play greater than the sum of their parts. Based on definition, I think it would be foolish to say Nick Kronwall is not a top 30 Defenseman in the NHL, so yes, he's #1... But not an elite #1. The other question is, how can anyone honestly rank Defensemen? Points are only a small indication of Defensman's true value to a team... I watched all and (attended 2) of the Red Wings playoffs games this year and can tell you that Kronwall did as good a job at shutting down Steven Stamkos as anyone else, which is his primary responsibility.

The comparison to Nick Lidstrom is completely foolish, yet so often made. Lidstrom is arguably the best defenseman to ever play the game - Bobby Orr was revolutionary and of course had more offensive talent - but there isn't a Defensman in the history of the game to consistently do more for a team than Nick did, don't forget Bobby only played 9 real seasons in the league. To support that point even further, Lidstrom also played with Brian Rafalski for a good chunk of his career - where Kronwall has played mostly with Brad Stuart and Jonathon Ericsson, so its easy to see where a big disparity in point totals would come from.

I would define a true #1 Defenseman as a player who plays on the top pairing, against the other teams best, playing in all situations - contributing offensively (with a good first pass) while being responsible defensively (limiting turnovers) and demonstrates leadership to support the growth of others.

Ray Bourque? Guy didn't have the talent around him that Lidstrom did and made 19 All Star games. I'd say he was pretty consistent and did as much, if not more for his team than Lidstrom did.

To answer your question, the definition of a #1 is a guy that is in the upper echelon of defensemen in the league. Playing on the top pairing alone doesn't make you a #1. Otherwise, Jeff Beukeboom would be a top tier defenseman back in the Rangers Cup run. Same thing with Olausson during our run in 2002.

However you define it, I have a hard time thinking of Kronwall as a legit #1 defenseman.

Are you blaming seabrooks deflected shot on kronwall?

It's like in wrestling when a guy tries to hit a guy with a chair, and he moves out of the way and someone else gets hit instead. They guy who got hit still blames it on the guy who threw the chair shot.

So yes, I do.