Niklas Kronwall of the Detroit Red Wings is known for his massive open-ice body checks and being the force that causes players to stay down for the count. Over the last week though, the 32 year-old defeseman has shown some incredible guts and a whole lot of leadership for a young Detroit defense group.
Not even a week ago, the great Kronwaller was on the receiving end of a hit from behind from Cody McLeod of the Colorado Avalanche.
That’s a pretty nasty collision, and it was unclear at the time how serious Kronwall’s injury was. He was stretchered off the ice while Wings fans waited for an update on his condition.
Niklas Kronwall is being treated in locker room following big hit vs Avalanche. He has concussion & cuts to ear, but is moving extremities.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 18, 2013
When the update did come, it was nothing but good news. Kronwall was fine for all intents and purposes, and would only miss a game or two waiting for full medical clearance to play. He practiced this morning after receiving said clearance, but was on the receiving end of more bad luck.
Niklas Kronwall took self-induced puck to chin during morning skate, but expects to play tonight when Red Wings host Senators.
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) October 23, 2013
After being taken off the ice on a stretcher and getting checked out by a dentist due to two separate incidents spanning less than a week, Kronwall was still going to play. He was in the lineup for the Red Wings as they took on the Ottawa Senators at home. And the icing on the cake, as it were?
#RedWings defenseman Niklas Kronwall is now playing without the full-face shield which he started the game wearing. #Senators 2-0.
— Bill Roose (@Bill_Roose) October 24, 2013
Any doubt that Kronwall is as tough as they come should be gone now. While Detroit would have proffered a better outcome against the Sens, No. 55 certainly gave young players like Brendan Smith and Brian Lashoff an example of how to be a Wing.