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Detroit Red Wings activate Niklas Kronwall from injured reserve

By Dave Stevenson

Apr 23, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall (55) skates with the puck in the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning in game four of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall (55) skates with the puck in the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning in game four of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Red Wings have activated defenseman Niklas Kronwall off the injured reserve list.

The Detroit Red Wings have struggled a bit ever since they lost defenseman Niklas Kronwall to a knee injury on Jan. 17. They received some good news today, as the team has activated him from the injured reserve list and he will play on Tuesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Red Wings defenseman missed 15 games and he will certainly be welcomed back into the lineup. Kronwall plays on Detroit’s top pairing and averages 22:45 of ice time per game. He plays in all situations. Kronwall has 17 points (three goals and 14 assists) in 45 games this season. Getting him back should help stabilize Detroit’s blue line, which has been struggling as of late without Kronwall to stabilize things.

Kronwall should also help stabilize the Red Wings on special teams, as they rely on him quite a bit on the penalty kill and the power play. The alternate captain’s return is quite meaningful to the Red Wings because of that alone.

To make room for Kronwall on the active roster, the Red Wings sent down defenseman Jakub Kindl to the American Hockey League. Kindl has six points (two goals and four assists) in 25 games this season. He has averaged 16:28 of ice time per game.

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