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Detroit Red Wings: Niklas Kronwall nearing the end

By Tyler Samson

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 22: Niklas Kronwall #55 of the Detroit Red Wings hammers into Martin Havlat #24 of the Chicago Blackhawks which knocks him cold during Game Three of the Western Conference Finals of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 22, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 22: Niklas Kronwall #55 of the Detroit Red Wings hammers into Martin Havlat #24 of the Chicago Blackhawks which knocks him cold during Game Three of the Western Conference Finals of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 22, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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After the 2018-19 season, Detroit Red Wings’ defenseman Niklas Kronwall will likely be calling it a career after spending 15 seasons in the NHL.

One of the most beloved players in Detroit Red Wings history will likely be calling it a career following the 2018-19 season. After the completion of the 2018-19 season, defenseman Niklas Kronwall will have played 15 seasons in the NHL. All of these seasons have been with the Red Wings.

Kronwall discussed his future in the NHL with Mike Zeisberger of NHL.com.

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

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Kronwall first saw playing time with the Wings in the 2003-04 season, where he contributed five points and 16 penalty minutes in 20 games. In his career thus far, he has played in 874 games, scored 80 goals, tallied 325 assists, registered 524 penalty minutes and has delivered 997 hits (though hits weren’t measured until 2007-08). Kronwall was also a vital member of the 2008 Stanley Cup Detroit Red Wings team.

Along with his success in the NHL, he was part of a very successful Team Sweden team. In the Olympics, Kronwall won gold in 2006 and silver in 2014. While playing with Sweden in the World Championships, he picked up gold in 2006 and silver in 2003.

The biggest impact Kronwall has left on the organization is his physicality.  Ask any Wings fan and they will know what it means to be ‘Kronwalled’.

He was notorious for delivering huge open ice body checks on the opponents. Kronwall’s hits were so hard and devastating that they knocked out and dazed numerous players like Martin Havlat of the Chicago Blackhawks.

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Since Kronwall is 37 years old, on the last year of his deal and suffers from numerous injuries, it only makes sense that he retires at the end of the upcoming season.  Kronwall can retire happy knowing that he has won a Stanley Cup, achieved numerous accomplishments in the NHL as well as in international play and that he is one of the greatest Wings defensemen of all time.

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