Opposing players knew when Nik Kronwall took the ice, they were liable to be ‘kron-walled.’
Hard-checking Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall is retiring.
His playing days are over, but Kronwall will take a job in the front office with General Manager Steve Yzerman.
Kronwall played 15 seasons in the NHL, all with the Wings.
In 953 career NHL games, all played with Detroit, Kronwall scored 83 goals and 349 assists. He played 109 playoff games with the Red Wings (5 goals, 42 assists).
The veteran defenseman has been plagued by frequent injuries, but he played 79 games for the Red Wings both this past season and the season before.
Kronwall is 38.
He was drafted by the Red Wings 29th overall in 2000. He helped lead the team to two Stanley Cup finals in 2008 and 2009, winning the cup in 2008.
