Niklas Kronwall, iron man (and arthritis man)

The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan filed an off-day notebook in which he discusses Niklas Kronwall’s surprising durability:

Defenseman Niklas Kronwall, despite his chronic knee problems, has played in every game since missing training camp and the opening three games this season.

So, that’s 66 consecutive games played, with only the occasional off-day in practice, playing nearly 20 minutes per night, and continuing to put forth a gutty, workmanlike effort, a regular season of health and durability that not many would have bet happening.

For many, Kronwall’s ability to keep going and overlooking the pain has been rather impressive and surprising.

Kronwall, though, isn’t all that impressed with his durability.

“To be honest with you I haven’t really thought too much about it,” Kronwall said. “To me, it’s all about trying to play better. I haven’t been good enough. There’s been ups and down, no doubt about that.”

Kronwall has appeared in 66 games with 19 points (three goals, 16 assists) and a team-worst minus-17 plus-minus rating, while averaging 18 minutes 30 seconds per game

“At the end of the day I might look back and say it was fun that I got to play, but right now, when you’re in it, I (have to) make the most of it and I have to be be better than I have,” Kronwall said. “To stay in the lineup, yes, I’m happy about that. The play could have been a little bit better, no doubt.”

Continued