Niklas Kronwall Defense - DET GOALS: 1 | ASST: 1 | PTS: 2

SOG: 14 | +/-: -3

The Detroit Red Wings have signed defenseman Niklas Kronwall to a seven-year contract extension that runs through the 2018-19 season.According to TSN, Kronwall will earn $33.25 million over the life of the contract, which will have an annual average value of $4.75 million."If you look at our defense, (Nicklas) Lidstrom's unrestricted, (Brad) Stuart's unrestricted, and we're going through a little bit of a transition," Wings general manager Ken Holland told the team's website. "We're trying to rebuild a little bit, so signing Kronwall and keeping him here is a real important step for us in the next 12- to 24-month process of trying to figure out where we will be going forward."Kronwall, who turns 31 in January, has one goal, 2 points, 12 hits and a team-leading 21 blocked shots for the Red Wings this season. He serves as an alternate captain with Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg "What I like about (Kronwall) is that he's a big team guy," Holland said. "He probably could be on the first power-play, but he's OK with being on the second power-play because it's Ian White and Nick. But when you put a team together you want to spread your wealth. We have a guy who is a team guy."In 394 NHL games -- all with the Wings -- the 29th pick of the 2000 NHL Draft has 183 points.