Will Kronwall rebound to be a #3 D-man?

[DATS-O-MATIC]

With Nik Kronwall turning 36 in January & still touted as our "#1" Dman for now, will he rebound from his injury last season to be at least a #3 Dman?

Yes

No

Probably not, but possibly

Possibly, but probably not


If so/not, how do you rank him, based on your vote. I see Dekeyser & Green as BOTH being #3's on a playoff bound team, or even most contenders, except for outliers like St. Louis, Anaheim, NYR circa 2012-14, CHI etc...

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[HisNoodliness]

Probably not but possibly

 

[DATS-O-MATIC]

Probably not but possibly

thanks for the input, but please vote in the poll so we have data

 

[Satrebil]

Voted: Yessir

 

[Ezekial]

Possibly, but not likely.

I really don't think so, at all, but I generally don't like to speak in absolutes on things link this.

 

[jkutswings]

I voted 75% no, but what does it say when a guy who might be a #3 is still touted as the #1?

 

[Frk It]

I really hope so, but I have a hard time seeing it.

I like Kronwall a lot.

 

[Bench]

If he's healthy, he'll be fine. I don't know enough about how his body feels to make an informed decision. Guy still has the tools to hold down a #3 job if the legs are there.

 

[Winger98]

If he's healthy, he'll be fine. I don't know enough about how his body feels to make an informed decision. Guy still has the tools to hold down a #3 job if the legs are there.

yeah, I don't think he'll have a problem playing up to the ability of a typical #3, it's whether or not we'll be able to use him that way. I think there's a fair chance the same thing we do to Z we'll do to him and just run him into the ground in half a season.

 

[njx9]

I can't imagine his legs being any better at 35 than they were at 34 or 33. Seems unlikely he'll finish his career as a legit #3. Especially if Blash decides to keep using Z and Kronwall as if they're still 22.

Unless you were asking if he'd be the Wings 3rd best D. There's probably a more interesting conversation, there.

 

[Shaman464]

His decline is because his tools were more physical than mental. With the speed of the game, the rule changes, and him not being a spring chicken, I just don't see it.

 

[Frk It]

His decline is because his tools were more physical than mental. With the speed of the game, the rule changes, and him not being a spring chicken, I just don't see it.

When you are a 5'11" or 6'0" defenseman in today's NHL, a lot of your game is going to be predicated on skating.

That said, I always think Kronwall has had good Hockey IQ. Part of the reason why he was one of the only people Smith could play with, because Kronwall sees the ice well and could anticipate his pinches and cover for him. A guy like Quincey doesn't see the ice like that.

 

[Henkka]

Depends of his knees.

IF they are done, he's another Cleary. Even with the IQ of Lidström, if your knees are gone, you are gone.

If he is healthy again, then he'll rebound for sure.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Dekeyser is our #1.

Still think Kronner can bounce back a bit and play solid #3 minutes + PP.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

I said no. At a certain age, when things go south they never really come back. I suspect that he is at that age.

Now we may play him as a #3 because we have no better option, but that is a different issue and standard.

 

[Chance on Chance]

I think people will have to define what a #1 and what a #2 etc is for them. Are there 30 #1 and 30#2. OR are we calling a #1 a top 15 Dman?

 

[Vatican Roulette]

I said no. At a certain age, when things go south they never really come back. I suspect that he is at that age.

Now we may play him as a #3 because we have no better option, but that is a different issue and standard.

Agreed.

 

[Henkka]

I said no. At a certain age, when things go south they never really come back. I suspect that he is at that age.

Now we may play him as a #3 because we have no better option, but that is a different issue and standard.

Teemu Selänne had bad knees at 34-year, then got a good surgery and played +40 year old at great level. Still over a point per game at 40 year old.

Selänne went to surgery, Cleary pushed against the pain and regressed badly. These examples just showed, that don't be an idiot and push against the pain. Fix your problem and get good extra career years. Works also in real life.

Never say never, we don't know what level the Kronner's damage is. We'll see it at the season start.

 

[SpookyTsuki]

Just like chara he will he alittle but better

Buts let's see if kronwall gets demoted

 

[Ezekial]

Teemu Selänne had bad knees at 34-year, then got a good surgery and played +40 year old at great level. Still over a point per game at 40 year old.

Selänne went to surgery, Cleary pushed against he pain regressed badly. These examples just showed, that don't be an idiot and push against the pain. Fix your problem and get good extra career years. Works also in real life.

Never say never, we don't know what level the Kronner's damage is. We'll see it at the season start.

Big E said never though, right?

edit: Not never, but until he retires

 

[Vatican Roulette]

Teemu Selänne had bad knees at 34-year, then got a good surgery and played +40 year old at great level. Still over a point per game at 40 year old.

Selänne went to surgery, Cleary pushed against he pain regressed badly. These examples just showed, that don't be an idiot and push against the pain. Fix your problem and get good extra career years. Works also in real life.

Never say never, we don't know what level the Kronner's damage is. We'll see it at the season start.

I'll take the under.

 

[Reddwit]

I think he will be. He returned too soon from injury last season and I think the jury is in on Green. He'll be used more heavily than he was last year. And with the money Dekeyser is about to get, he'll command more ice as well. Also think Marchenko and Smith earned some trust there as well. Therefore, I anticipate Kronwall's minutes coming down a bit and him benefitting.

 

[DATS-O-MATIC]

Dekeyser is our #1.

Still think Kronner can bounce back a bit and play solid #3 minutes + PP.

yeah, that's a given...but even though DDK is our #1 now, he is still a #3 Dman on a contender.

#3's:
DDK
Green

#3/4:
Kronner

#5's:
Marchy

#6's:
BigE
Smith
Ouellet

 

[obey86]

I voted not likely but possible.

Wouldn't mind seeing DDK - Green as the top pairing and Kronwall - Smith as the 2nd pairing.

 

[Flowah]

On our squad?

Sure why not. He's got to beat the likes of Ericsson and XO. It's not that steep a hill to climb even for Kronner's knees. I wouldn't be too surprised if he's better than AM or Smith at this point. I don't think he will be but I wouldn't be surprised.

25% likely imo.