Daily Faceoff’s Anthony Trudeau engages in a thought experiment this evening, wondering what might happen if the Eastern Conference’s teams could bring back one retired veteran who’s a “fan favorite” or “All-Star” who would benefit his team the most:
Detroit Red Wings: Niklas Kronwall, D (2003-19)
The second Original Six team to jump back in time has several options to fix its uninspiring blueline. Vladimir Konstantinov might have ended up in the Hall if not for the limousine accident that cut him down in his prime. Reed Larson was a lock for 20 goals a season and is one of the most underrated offensive D-men ever. Both are right-handed, though, as is Mo Seider, the foundational piece of the Red Wings’ defense. Kronwall made his living with a devastating hip check on Nick Lidstrom’s left, and, later, as top dog himself. He and Seider would provide the modern Wings with a true top pair to build around.
Continued; the Red Wings’ blueline is what it is until the team addresses the need for a physical, shut-down player via the trade market…Or until someone like Simon Edvinsson or Albert Johansson steps up and fills a hole on their own.
For now, the Wings have what they have. I happen to believe that, by the trade deadline, they’ll be adding someone to fill the void to help spell Seider of some of those hard match-up minutes. We’ll see what happens over the course of the next six months.
In the interim, I sure miss “Kronner” every day.
