Maybe it was the overbearing nickname of “Nick Junior”. Maybe it was the success he had seen on every other international stage. Or maybe it was the fact that he was a rare Detroit Red Wings first round pick. But regardless of why or how, since the beginning of his NHL career, Niklas Kronwall has had high expectations to live up to.

Kronwall, 27, entered the 2006-2007 season christened by Mike Babcock as the Red Wings number three defenseman, behind only Niklas Lidstrom and Mathieu Schneider. But his position was due more to a lack of depth on the Wings’ defense than it was due to his play, and injuries hampered any progress he made. He missed 14 games last season and didn’t make a single playoff appearance after being sidelined with a broken sacrum. This season, however, things have began to turn for the still young defenseman.

Kronwall has made an impact this season, turning up the heat both defensively and offensively. In his fourth NHL season - only his second with more than 27 games played - he has a career high 31 points and is plus 22 over 52 games this season despite only seeing second unit powerplay time, and his presence has been invaluable. His elite puck moving ability and strong skating have made him a perfect fit for the puck possession oriented Red Wings, and his physical game gives the Wings a much needed edge on the back end. Things have finally begun to click for Kronwall. Even though he’s already missed 17 games this season in typical Kronwall injury fashion, he’s managed to still keep the 40 point mark within range. A new pairing buddy of Brad Stuart has helped.

Needless to say, Kronwall has finally earned his title as the Wings third defenseman, behind only the All Star pairing of five time Norris winner Niklas Lidstrom and Michigan native Brian Rafalski. On any other team, he’d likely be a top pairing defenseman and with first pairing powerplay icetime, would likely already have broken the 40 point barrier. With any luck, he’ll be ready for the playoffs where the Red Wings can debut a second powerplay pairing of Kronwall and Stuart on the points, instead of the questionable unit of Chelios and Lebda that injuries forced the Wings to go with in the 2007 playoffs.

Kronwall has 6 points in his first 4 games after coming back from a shoulder injury.