Tribute Niklas Kronwall

[Eye of Ra]

What are you guys memories of him? What did he bring to the ice?

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[Hammettf2b]

YOU GOT KRONWALLED

 

[Hockey Know it all]

YOU GOT KRONWALLED

I went to the game in 2013 against Anaheim in the playoffs when he “Kronwalled” Palmeiri and the crowd started chanting.

That was also the game that Brunner scored the OT goal.

One of the best games I’ve ever seen live.

 

[HisNoodliness]

I remember him and Brad Stuart combining to be what felt like the best second pairing ever. Kronwall was awesome for highlights, ripping a sweet slap shot top corner to win one game and absolutely lighting some guy up the next. His characteristic hitting style where he skates backwards/laterally to close off someone on the boards and letting their momentum carry them into his back- which would absolutely flatten him.

 

[Ed Ned and Leddy]

Dude battled through a lot of injuries. No one could say he didn’t grind for the career he built.

 

[wingerdinger]

One of the most underrated defensemen in organization's history. Overshadowed by another Swedish defenseman name Nik.

Didnt get his chance to be a #1 until he was already broken-down from injuries. But he still represented the organization with dignity and great distinction.

Thank you Kronwall.

 

[Nut Upstrom]

He was pretty slick offensively. Loved when he manned the point on the pp, he'd pull back and fake a slapper and circle around the forward going down to block his shot. Could gain an extra 20 feet of open, offensive ice and a more clear shot on goal or open pass lanes. Was one of his go to plays that I always loved.

 

[ricky0034]

I thought he died for a second between the title and tag

 

[Peter Tosh]

Lost a lot of potential games early in his career due to injuries and Holland’s overriping strategy. Also a bit of bad luck, peaking when the team was heading downwards. He still had a great career, with his clean yet brutal tackles named after him.

 

[Bench]

One of the most underrated defensemen in organization's history. Overshadowed by another Swedish defenseman name Nik.

Didnt get his chance to be a #1 until he was already broken-down from injuries. But he still represented the organization with dignity and great distinction.

Thank you Kronwall.

Too true. Having Kronwall behind Lidstrom was a massive part of their dominance during that time. He was an admirable #1 defender at the end of his career, but having him and Lidstrom running over the boards for most of the game was an embarrassment of riches.

 

[Rythashocka]

That hit on havlat in the playoffs was a beauty. I still don't think he deserved to be suspended vs TB.

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

Great defenseman.

Very good two-way d-man, with a niche for crushing hits.

Thing that surprised me, is that when he was coming up he was small and painted as a offensive d-man, he had a lot of set backs with injuries.

He is a classic case of developing a player.

 

[Detroit Knights]

kronwalling ryan clowe after clowe dared him too in the playoffs.

chefs kiss

oh and didn't clowe not come back out to play and ended up getting hurt for rest of series or something? beautiful

 

[Shaman464]

Best second pairing guy in the league for a long time, he was fire with Stuart. He was too broken and just not cut out for being the top guy and became emblematic of Detroit sinking from a top team to the worst.

 

[Run the Jewels]

A few come to mind:







He was at his best as the #3 d-man on the second pairing and QB for the 2nd PP unit.

 

[JohanFranzenstein]

If I'm not mistaken, the Bonk hit was the first "Kronwall"?

That will always be the first to come to mind. I had always heard stories of Vladdy demolishing guys on the ice, but I was too young to experience that firsthand. It felt really cool seeing a Red Wing lay hits like he did.

 

[RED WINGS STOMP]

Love ya Nik! Wish we could get both Simon and Mo to regularly crush fools like Kronwall did. Mo did some his rookie year, but then word guy out his reverse checks were legit so people havent tried challenging him as much like this.

 

[RabidBadger]

YOU GOT KRONWALLED

When your name is turned into a verb you have become iconic!

 

[Euro Twins]

This is not the greatest defenseman in the world no, this is just a tribute.

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

I wish we had a 20 year old Kronwall rn.

 

[DatsDeking]

Love the guy. Have a signed stick, puck, and hockey card of his framed at home. Second Wings jersey after my Datsyuk Winter Classic jersey. Really glad he’s still around the organization.

 

[GoBoltz56]

I saw him destroy Hoffman from the Cleveland Barons at center ice in grand rapids in 04/05. It was the biggest hit I've ever seen...thought the dude was dead.

 

[ZDH]

Towed the line for sure with some of his hits, but I loved every second of it.

I wish we had a 20 year old Kronwall rn.

They don't exist.

 

[Ricelund]

Great player and I think he's underrated because he was playing in such an elite top-four during his prime. I'm glad he's still part of the organization.

 

[Tatar Shots]

My favorite Kronwall story came from Hakan Andersson. It was over the summer and Kronwall was doing summer training with his team in Sweden. Hakan went to check on him and asked the coach how he was looking. The coach replied that he was looking a bit sluggish, to which Hakan was surprised. Later on he spoke with Kronwall asking what was going on. Kronwall told him he was having difficulty doing both the workout regiment the Wings gave him as well as the one he was doing with the team in Sweden. He had been doing the full training regiment the Wings gave him in the mornings before going to workout with the team. Hakan was in disbelief he was doing both full training regiments and told him to stop doing the one from the Wings.

That’s the player Kronwall was. He was the ultimate competitor and we were so lucky to have him. I’m really glad that he is still a part of the organization.