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Niklas Kronwall preparing as if 2018-19 season will be his last

By Griffin Youngs

MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 26: Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall (55) takes a slap shot during a power play in the first period of the NHL game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens on March 26, 2018, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 26: Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall (55) takes a slap shot during a power play in the first period of the NHL game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens on March 26, 2018, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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After 15 years of playing in a Detroit Red Wings uniform, the 2018-19 season could be the last one for defenseman Niklas Kronwall according to the man himself.

The sun is setting on the career of 37-year-old Nicklas Kronwall, and he knows it as he approaches the final year of his contract.

Kronwall has said there have been no talks with Detroit about a possible contract extension, and the Red Wings blueliner of 15 years said he is ready to move on if the 2018-19 season ends up being his last.

“If this happens to be the end of the road, I would be more than happy with the journey that I’ve had and more than thankful to the Ilitch family and Kenny Holland for giving me the opportunity that I have for being able to be with the same team for my entire career,” Kronwall told Mike Zeisberger of NHL.com.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to play in Detroit all these years and I have a tough time seeing myself in a different jersey.”

Kronwall was a first round pick for the Red Wings back in 2003, and has posted 405 points (80 goals, 325 assists) in 874 games since. Detroit made the playoffs for the first 12 years of Kronwall’s career, and he was a key component to their Stanley Cup run in 2008. He and Henrik Zetterberg are the very last remnants of that Stanley Cup team, and Zetterberg might be on the way out as well.

As it stands right now, Kronwall is 13th in Red Wings history in total games played, 11th all time in assists and 20th overall in points. He also won a gold medal with Sweden in the 2006 Olympics.

Despite his age, Kronwall was still able to produce a respectable 27 points (four goals, 23 assists) in 79 games last season. Despite battling a chronic knee injury that has hindered his playing ability for the past couple seasons, Kronwall feels as though he can still contribute to the team at least for this upcoming season. After that his future is uncertain, and he understands that the youth movement of the NHL has passed him by as he gets older.

“I love the game,” he said. “I can’t say enough good things about it. But at the same time you have to be realistic.” Kronwall said. “I know where I’m at right now. A year from now I don’t know where I’ll be at. I’d love to sign [for] another year but let’s face it. The team’s getting younger. I’m getting older. The game’s getting faster. I’m not the same player I was 10 years ago. But I’m going to do what I can this year both on the ice and off the ice and just try to be as efficient as I possibly can.”

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If this really is the final year of Kronwall’s career, the heavy-hitting defenseman will be remembered as one of the biggest hitters of this generation for his vicious open ice checks, flattening opponents with bone-shaking hits that would turn momentum back in the Red Wings favor. The phrase “getting Kronwalled” will live on long after he has left the ice.

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