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Detroit Red Wings: Top 10 toughest players of all-time

By Tyler Samson

ST. PAUL, MN - MARCH 04: Detroit Red Wings Right Wing Luke Witkowski (28) and Minnesota Wild Defenceman Nick Seeler (36) fight during a NHL game between the Minnesota Wild and Detroit Red Wings on March 4, 2018 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. The Wild defeated the Red Wings 4-1.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN - MARCH 04: Detroit Red Wings Right Wing Luke Witkowski (28) and Minnesota Wild Defenceman Nick Seeler (36) fight during a NHL game between the Minnesota Wild and Detroit Red Wings on March 4, 2018 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. The Wild defeated the Red Wings 4-1.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images
Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images /

After being established in 1926, the Detroit Red Wings have had countless amounts of tough guys making some better than others.

From Bob Probert to the Grind Line, the Detroit Red Wings have had no shortage of toughness.  In their 92 years, they have had an endless supply of gritty players. Of all the players that have been in the Wings organization, it is hard to identify who were the toughest of the tough.

To solve this dilemma, the use of analytics, stats and accomplishments must be used to identify the top 10 tough guys in Wings history from both past and present. Here are the 10 toughest players to ever play in Detroit.

10. Niklas Kronwall

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Niklas Kronwall defines what it means to be a physical defenseman. Hockey fans and players everywhere have come to know the infamous “Kronwalled” hits produced by Niklas Kronwall on opponents.

A “Kronwalled” hit is where an opponent skates down the ice, with the puck, not paying attention when suddenly they are met by an opponent’s backside.  These hits helped establish Kronwall as one of the most feared defensemen in the league as well as revolutionized the game in terms of body checks.

He really made a name for himself on May 5, 2009 in the Western Conference Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks. Blackhawks winger Martin Havlat was charging up the boards about to receive a pass when he immediately he got decked by Niklas Kronwall.

The hit was so forceful that it knocked him out cold and created a scrum between the Wings and Blackhawks.  Ever since that hit, Kronwall was looked at in a different light. Fans loved him and players feared him.

Along with the number of hits Kronwall has produced, he has also found ways to find individual and team success. His list of accomplishments include:

  • Elitserien champion (2000, 2001)
  • Elitserien Junior Hockey League Player of the Year
  • Silver medal winner at the 2003 World Championships
  • Eddie Shore Award (given to the best AHL defenseman) in 2005
  • Member of the AHL First All-Star team in 2005,
  • Gold medal winner at the Winter Olympics in 2006
  • Gold medal winner at the World Championships in 2006
  • Awarded the best defender and MVP of the 2006 World Championships
  • Member of the World Championship All-Star team in 2006
  • Stanley Cup winner (2008) won the Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 2008
  • Silver medal at the Winter Olympics in 2014.

Currently, Kronwall is 37 years of age and is on the last year of his contract with the Red Wings.  It seems as if Kronwall’s glory days are behind him. Nevertheless, Kronwall has made a lasting impact on the Red Wings and the rest of the NHL.  It is because of Niklas’ bruising body checks and physical play that has defined him as one of the Detroit Red Wing’s toughest players of all time.

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