Red Wings' Kronwall sidelined 2-4 weeks; Miller out 4-6 months
The Detroit Red Wings will be without defenseman Niklas Kronwall for two-to-four weeks and forward Drew Miller four-to-six months, the team announced on Tuesday.
Kronwall underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday, two days after he scored his team's lone goal in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. The 35-year-old Swede elected to have the surgery close to the All-Star break to minimize the expected number of games he'll miss, according to coach Jeff Blashill.
#RedWings Kronwall had knee scoped, out 2-4 weeks. Used All-Star break as part of plan.
— Dana Wakiji (@Dwakiji) January 19, 2016
Via MLive:
"It's been going on most of the year. We've talked about what the best approach is and just as we continued to go, we got eight-to-nine days at the All-Star break. Rather than risk it happening and being a four-week or longer surgery because we let it slide, let's take care of now and miss as minimal games as we can."
Kronwall has collected three tallies and 14 assists this season and played in 719 career contests - all with the Red Wings. His absence is expected to draw defenseman Alexey Marchenko back in the lineup for Detroit (23-14-8), which looks to get back on track Wednesday when it faces the Central Division-rival St. Louis Blues (27-15-7).
#RedWings Marchenko back at practice today after missing Sunday's morning skate. pic.twitter.com/0NneqO2dBd
— Dana Wakiji (@Dwakiji) January 19, 2016
Miller has endured an injury-plagued campaign, having just returned from a 14-game absence due to a broken jaw before suffering a knee injury. The 31-year-old has scored one goal and set up another in 28 games this season.
#RedWings Miller had reconstruction of ACL in addition to meniscus, out 4-6 months.
— Dana Wakiji (@Dwakiji) January 19, 2016
The former Michigan State star has 57 tallies and 58 assists in 516 career contests with the Anaheim Ducks, Tampa Bay Lightning and Red Wings.
