Kronwall told blogger Marie Hallman, “The knee’s still not feeling quite 100 percent.”

Really didn’t need to read that right now.

Thanks, Paul.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste Marie on 08/24/10 at 05:51 PM ET

They should get Kronwall to the doctor who fixed up Chelios’ knee.

Posted by SYF from the Flood on 08/24/10 at 05:54 PM ET

Anyone know if there’s any chance that Kronwall won’t be ready when the season starts?

Posted by EDJ on 08/24/10 at 06:09 PM ET

Luckily I had my fingers in my ears so I couldn’t hear what they were saying.  Oh, wait…

Posted by Krononymous on 08/24/10 at 07:16 PM ET

Once again – Stuart and Ericsson as the Wings’ second pairing. Salei and Kindl as the third.

Howard will get some extra work and by the time Kronwall is recovered from necessary surgery the brain trust will have a better idea if Ericsson or Kindl should be the 6th defensemen.

That is until Lidstrom breaks his wrist in training camp leaving Kindl and Meech as your 2010-11 Detroit Red Wings third defensive pairing ...

Ahem!

Posted by some kid on 08/24/10 at 07:29 PM ET

That is until Lidstrom breaks his wrist in training camp leaving Kindl and Meech as your 2010-11 Detroit Red Wings third defensive pairing ...

Ahem!

Posted by some kid on 08/24/10 at 05:29 PM ET

Dude, ya mind?

Posted by SYF from the Flood on 08/24/10 at 07:36 PM ET

I suppose it’s not polite to mention the whole PPP-Toronto Sun spiel all over again, is it?

Posted by George Malik from South Lyon, MI on 08/24/10 at 07:39 PM ET

Relax people. He’s had so many leg injuries it should come as no surprise that his knee isn’t “100%”.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 08/24/10 at 08:04 PM ET

Damn, shoulda kept Lebda.

Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 08/24/10 at 09:44 PM ET

I smell opportunity for Smith.  You heard it first, if the Kron Wall goes down this season for surgery, you’ll witness the emergence of Brenden Smith.  All will be well for the Wings as they paid their dues to Jobu last year.

Posted by HockeytownOverhaul on 08/24/10 at 10:29 PM ET

All will be well for the Wings as they paid their dues to Jobu last year.

Sheeet… we should be exempt from Jobu’s wrath for at least this season if not next year too.

Posted by calquake on 08/25/10 at 12:29 AM ET

This is very bad news, I am not sure what type of activities Kronwall has done this summer. If he has not been skating or using that knee this could be bad news. He should be fine by now especially if he has not been doing strenuous moving.

I hope to god that he requires. The wings off season signings didnt leave alot of options if we have one or more defenders go down. If Kronwall does not fully heal, he will risk a even more severe injury when he starts competing at the NHL speed. Again, if he does get injuried for an extended amount of time we will wont have alot of defensive depth to cover him. Holland’s signing this off season gave the wings a very strong offense. That said a defensive injury could start a domino affect on our defense. Without Kronwall, a third line or fourth line defender has to move up with stuart and like wise for the other defensive pairings. Basically one injury like Nicks causes everyone have more ice time and a higher chance of injury themselves.

If the Wings should suffer two major injuries with defenders, we might need to trade one of our fourth line forwards. Especially if this injuries occur near the middle of the season.

Posted by pjwalny from Not Detroit, evidently?? on 08/25/10 at 01:02 AM ET

I suppose it’s not polite to mention the whole PPP-Toronto Sun spiel all over again, is it?

Posted by George James Malik

Not sure what you’re referring to George but aren’t you the one who translated that article and broke this news to English speakers?

I think you are because that’s what happens very consistently.

Posted by Osrt on 08/25/10 at 02:01 AM ET

Yup, George got it first, then everyone took it on without citing him.

George’s first translation: Published: Monday, August 23, 2010, 5:09 AM

What fuching garbage move from Kuflan and the rest of those jokers who have stolen George’s stuff.

Posted by Osrt on 08/25/10 at 02:08 AM ET

Dirtbag moves but we all know George owns.  You know what they say, plagiarism is the highest form of flattery.

Posted by HockeytownOverhaul on 08/25/10 at 02:40 AM ET

If the Wings should suffer two major injuries with defenders, we might need to trade one of our fourth line forwards. Especially if this injuries occur near the middle of the season.

Except that if Kronwall gets surgery he goes on LTIR and we can use his salary on someone else until he comes back.

Posted by Garth on 08/25/10 at 10:57 AM ET

Except that if Kronwall gets surgery he goes on LTIR and we can use his salary on someone else until he comes back.

Posted by Garth on 08/25/10 at 08:57 AM ET

Thank you Garth, Im merely trying to look at the worst case scenario. I wanted to shed light on that the team loaded up on offense this summer. Any injury problems in the defense could cause major problems.

In my post I mentioned that injuries close to the middle or end of the year would be extremely detrimental.

Garth, if say Kronwall goes down after the trade deadline or close to the playoffs, would the team still be able to put him on LTIR and sign a defender? Will there be any Kronwall like defenders available on free agency?

Strictly regarding Kronwalls physiology, this injury should have healed by now. I just want to mention that going into the season. If he is still having trouble skating, he might have a very high chance of re-injuring it during the season. Thats a fact.

Posted by pjwalny from Not Detroit, evidently?? on 08/25/10 at 05:43 PM ET

If he is still having trouble skating, he might have a very high chance of re-injuring it during the season. Thats a fact.

Yes, it is a fact that he might have a very high chance of hurting his knee.  It’s a fact that Chris Osgood might have a very high chance of spontaneously combusting in net this season too.

Calm down, nobody knows the extent of the injury.  I don’t know Kronwall’s physiology any more than you claim to.  He said he doesn’t have any pain, just that it buckles on him strangely at times.

What’s your specific recommendation here?  Who do we need to trade to build up our defensive depth to make you comfortable if Nik Kronwall goes down after the trade deadline who will still be a value to the team all season?

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 08/25/10 at 05:59 PM ET