The Detroit Red Wings announced on Tuesday that they are losing two defensemen for a significant amount of time.
Niklas Kronwall has undergone a knee scope and is expected to miss two-to-four weeks, head coach Jeff Blashill told the press Tuesday. As far as the time frame, the team may have gotten a little lucky with the injury coming shortly before the All-Star break, giving Kronwall time to heal while the team isn’t playing games.
Drew Miller has undergone reconstructive surgery on his knee and will miss the next four-to-six months, according to Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News. That means Miller’s season is over.
Miller has missed quite a bit of time with his knee problem, initially going out on December 3 and missing over a month of play. He returned on January 7 and played just two games before going out of the lineup again. While his absence is felt, the team has already been playing without him and may have been prepared for the bad news.
It will be more difficult to replace Kronwall, an alternate captain. His 22:45 of average ice time leads the team and while he may have a -5.5% CF%Rel and be a drag on possession, making up those minutes becomes a serious adjustment for the remaining team defensemen, particularly when they are already down Miller.
Kronwall has three goals and 17 points through 45 games this season. Miller had a goal and two points in 28 games.