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Knee surgery ‘is not an option’ for Kronwall, says Holland

Detroit Red Wings v New Jersey Devils

NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 04: Niklas Kronwall #55 of the Detroit Red Wings mugs for the camera during the second period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 4, 2016 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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It appears Detroit Red Wings veteran defenseman Niklas Kronwall will not undergo surgery for an ailing knee that bothered him last season.

The 35-year-old hard-hitting Kronwall, who has three years remaining on his seven-year contract worth an annual cap hit of $4.75 million, as per General Fanager, appeared in 64 games for the Red Wings last season, scoring three times and recording 26 points.

Despite his struggles -- “It’s been a rough year,” he admitted after the Red Wings were knocked out of the playoffs in the opening round -- with the knee injury, surgery seems to have been removed from the equation.

This wasn’t the only news from the Red Wings on Thursday.

Pending unrestricted free agents Brad Richards, 36, and Kyle Quincey, 30, are unlikely to be back in Detroit next season, with GM Ken Holland reportedly telling both players, “I definitely won’t sign them before July 1, if at all.”