Niklas Kronwall 2-5-15

Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall delivers a check against Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog earlier this month.

(The Associated Press)

The NHL trade deadline is 17 days away and there are sure to be many questions in the coming weeks about possible moves the Detroit Red Wings might make.

This week's mailbag, however, touches on a variety of non-trade related topics, including a lack of crushing checks by a defenseman who's leveled his share of opponents and replacement candidates for Mike Babcock, should he choose to coach elsewhere next season:

Q: One thing I've noticed is (Niklas) Kronwall doesn't seem to be "Kronwalling" much anymore. I realize the Wings aren't a Boston-type physical team, but his big hits were exciting for fans and could change momentum of games. Is it just me, or has he not been as eager as he has in the past to deliver big hits? I haven't noticed any so far this year and the only "big hit" that really comes to mind last season is when he hit Reilly Smith in the playoffs. Are other players more conscious of him on the ice nowadays making it harder for him? Is his game changing with age? Orders from Babcock? - Steven

A: No doubt Kronwall hasn't been as physical the past few seasons. He usually picks his spots during the regular season and is more aggressive in pursuing the big hit in the playoffs. But as much the Red Wings might gain a little short-term momentum from one of those hits, they're better off if he doesn't risk injury by delivering one. Kronwall does so much for the team that losing him for any length of time would be a huge blow. Save it for the playoffs.

Q: If Mike Babcock does sign with another team next season, could Tony Granato become head coach? -- Admin

A: I think Babcock will stay. Where else would he rather be? Does he really want to dive head-first into that disaster in Toronto? This team has exceeded his expectations and the future looks bright with a bevy of young talent, here and in the system. In my opinion, that will convince him to re-sign.

But you never know. If Babcock leaves, Grand Rapids Griffins coach Jeff Blashill would be the odds-on favorite to replace him. If they want someone with NHL experience, Granato might be considered. Todd McLellan and Dave Tippett are other possibilities, if they become available.

Q: There has been talk around the league (mostly in Toronto and Edmonton) about teams that lack leadership and have toxic environments in the locker room. This has not been the case in Detroit over the past 30 years. Can you speak to any 'vibe' you might feel differently as a journalist in the Wings room versus the visitor rooms? Does the value of a respectful and respectable captain ever strike you as a key difference between healthy organizations and so-called 'toxic' environments? -- Danny

A: You're absolutely correct in stating that leadership makes a tremendous difference between a harmonious room, like Detroit's, and a dumpster fire, like Toronto's. That speaks to the respect players have for captains like Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom and Henrik Zetterberg. Character is an important quality to the Red Wings, who try to avoid bringing in potential bad apples.

Q: Expansion has been a topic of discussion over All-Star Weekend and I thought it would be nice to get your informed insight on two points: 1. Is there an established procedure for stocking new teams through the amateur draft and the expansion draft? What personnel consequences might expansion have for the Wings? 2. What do you think will be the consequences of expansion for the game in general? Can the league expand and maintain the current skill level? -- Scott

A: Expansion teams typically are stocked by selecting a maximum of one player from each established club, in addition to the amateur draft. Teams are permitted to protect a certain number of roster players and prospects are generally exempt from the expansion draft. The league hasn't expanded since 2000, so they might need to tweak the rules for the next expansion draft.

I'm not sure how anyone can predict the personnel consequences for the Red Wings when we don't know when there will be expansion and how many players teams can protect.

I can't imagine expansion being good for the quality of play, further watering down the talent level. Some would argue 30 teams is too many.

Q: What is to become of Daniel Cleary? The Wings are calling up players when some get injured, but not using Cleary. Why is that? - Matthew

A: Teemu Pulkkinen is the only forward they have called up this season. He earned the promotion with his strong play in Grand Rapids and the Red Wings gave him six games to show what he can do. I'm not sure why anyone would object to that.

Cleary hasn't been able to play himself into the top 12 forwards. He will continue being a depth forward, playing the occasional game. But after the 23-man roster limit is lifted at the trade deadline (March 2), the Red Wings might call up Landon Ferraro, Mitch Callahan, maybe Pulkkinen again, perhaps Andy Miele, for a few games at a time to see what they can bring.

Q: How big a factor in the team's success is the fact that the Wings have basically the same roster as last season? Unlike some teams, they did not have to take a period of time to adjust to new faces in the lineup and the locker room. - Kurt

A: I don't think that's been a factor in their success. I'd credit better health (Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, in particular), more consistent goaltending and continued growth from young players.

Stephen Weiss struggled last season, but for the most part, new players have adapted quickly in recent years (Brian Rafalski, Brad Stuart, Marian Hossa, Damien Brunner, Daniel Alfredsson).

Q: The Wings have a much higher winning percentage with Weiss in the lineup than when he isn't. How does his presence in the lineup make such a difference? - Kurt

A: The Red Wings are 22-6-2 with Weiss in the lineup and 9-7-7 without him. He's played much better than he did last season. With 18 points in 30 games he'd be on pace for close to 50 points, which is what the club expects from him. But I wouldn't read anything into the record disparity with and without Weiss.

Q: How is the Wings' scoring distributed over the three periods? How is their goals against over the three periods. It seems like they give up a lot of goals in the third period. - Kurt

A: A look at the stats indicates the Red Wings tend to start slowly before cranking it up in the second period - in a big way. They have outscored opponents 58-38 in the second period (with the long change); that's the best goals differential in the league. They're even in the first period (41 for, 41 against) and have outscored opponents 51-46 in the third and 4-2 in overtime.

Q: What kind of future do you think the Red Wings have in mind for Tom McCollum? He played well in his brief stint for the Wings, but they just don't seem to be moving him towards a regular role. Does he have a future with the Wings? For that matter, do you think he has a future in the NHL, or is he pretty much relegated to the AHL with only brief call-ups to the NHL to cover injuries? -- Michael

A: McCollum doesn't figure into the Red Wings' plans, since Jimmy Howard and Petr Mrazek will be their goalies for the foreseeable future.

McCollum is a late bloomer. His best chance to make it to the NHL is to join another organization next season, have a good year in the AHL and hope the big club gives him an opportunity.

Thanks for participating. If you have a Red Wings-related question, email me at akhan1@mlive.com.

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