(Another in a series of player profiles prior to training camp)

Niklas Kronwall

Position: Defense

Age: 36

Height/Weight: 6-0/194

2016-17 stats: 57 games, two goals, 11 assists, 13 points, minus-7 rating, 32 penalty minutes.

Career stats: 795 games, 76 goals, 302 assists, 378 points, plus-14 rating, 488 penalty minutes; (playoffs) 109 games, five goals, 42 assists, 47 points, plus-25 rating, 89 penalty minutes.

Contract status: Two years remaining at a cap hit of $4.75 million (actual salary $3.5 million and $1.75 million).

2016-17 in review: Fewest games in a non-lockout season since 2009-10. ... Fewest goals since 2006-07. ... Fewest points since 2005-06. ... Fewest points per game in career. ... Fewest power-play points (six) since 2005-06. ... Third on defensemen in ice time (19:27), the lowest ice time since first season of 2003-04. ... Second among defensemen in power-play minutes (2:28). ... Led defense in combined special teams ice time (3:28). ... Withdrew from Sweden's World Cup team due to knee issues. ... Made season debut on Nov. 4. ... No goals in first 40 games. ... Third in blocked shots per game (1.4).

2017-18 outlook: Knee issues and age have taken their toll on this once valuable workhorse.

Kronwall said after the season he believes he has a lot more hockey left in him, that he felt better than he did a year ago and that a different summer training regimen will help him manage his knee.

He didn't sound like a player contemplating retirement. He'll play at least one more season. He is expected to be ready for the start of training camp.

Kronwall struggled through his worst season, the knee issues hurting his mobility and reducing his effectiveness. He said he was he told surgery won't help.

His role was reduced a bit, minutes trimmed, rested on occasion. He still played 10 sets of back-to-back games, averaged a fair amount of ice time and remained a regular on the power play.

Unless he makes a remarkable recovery, his minutes should be trimmed further, he should be rested on more back-to-back situations and his role on the power play reduced. Problem is, other than Mike Green, the Red Wings don't have many alternatives to play the point. Trevor Daley could fill the role. Young Ryan Sproul would be an option if he could stick in the lineup.

Key question: Will Kronwall continue to have a prominent role on the power play?