There weren’t many surprises (if any) from the Red Wings’ locker room clean-out day, but the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan noted a mild surprise in that Niklas Kronwall joined Henrik Zetterberg in suggesting that he’s highly likely to return:
“I don’t think it’ll be any different than it was last year, (which is) trying to train as hard as I can and be ready to go come training camp,” said Kronwall, who has chronic knee pain. “From my own standpoint and body-wise, as of right now, yes (he is returning).”
Heading into this summer, Kronwall feels better than he has the last two years.
“At this point of time, definitely,” Kronwall said. “The last two years I wasn’t really sure what’s going to come out of the training. I do feel if I just stick with the program (this summer) and do what gave me the chance to play this year, I’ll be just fine. Hopefully tweaking the program regimen a little bit make it even better.”
Last summer, Kronwall limited his weightlifting to one day per week, and it proved to be “less pounding on the joints,” he said. Kronwall has switched to more alternative workouts, such as swimming, “and stuff like that gave me the opportunity to play this year, and I’m hoping will do the same thing next year”.
Kronwall also is embracing the chance to be a veteran presence for the expected transfusion of young defensemen onto the roster next season.
This is good news. I didn’t mind how Kronner played this past year and like the idea of having him around to mentor some of the young guys. More youth on the blueline might be rocky for another season or two but its likely the only way out of this mess we have for a back end right now.
Great. Kronwall can be a mentor. Ericsson too. And Daley too. And Dekeyser isn’t a kid anymore. And we should also bring back Mike Green…you know…because having a roster of 20 year olds doesn’t work. All 5 of them can mentor one kid.