The Red Wings have finished their longest road trip of the season with a 3-1 record and star defenseman Niklas Kronwall thinks the team is put itself in good shape.

"I think we're definitely on the right track," defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. "We're all pulling in the same direction and guys are coming together as a group. I think we're building some more chemistry as we go along, and we've done some good things on this road trip."

Niklas Kronwall was embarrassed by Detroit's play in the final period of their 5-2 loss to Calgary.

Detroit allowed three unanswered goals in the final frame. "Tonight, they didn't beat us. It felt like we beat ourselves," Kronwall said. "It just felt like we started making hope plays that were not there, trying to make passes that are not there. They took advantage of that." Detroit has been mediocre this season, which is a huge step down from what their fans have become accustomed to. They still have a solid chance of extending their playoffs streak to a 22nd season, but shouldn't be counted on to do much if they get that far.

Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall leads all NHL blueliners in scoring.

The Red Wings have struggled to replace the production of the legendary Nicklas Lidstrom, but with 17 points in 21 contests, Kronwall is certainly pulling his weight. Those who speculated that Lidstrom's departure would mean big things for him have been rewarded for their faith thus far.

Niklas Kronwall is on a four-game point streak.

Kronwall has gotten off to a great start with eight points in nine games. With Nicklas Lidstrom retired, Kronwall ranks third in the NHL with an average of 5:46 minutes of power-play ice time per contest. As a result, five of his points have been recorded with the man advantage. He's probably not going to end up as the top offensive defenseman this season, but he's a decent bet to finish in the top 10.

Niklas Kronwall knows that a new CBA needs to put into place soon if a shortened 2012-13 season is going to take place.

"Time is running out, clock is ticking, no doubt," he said. However, Kronwall said the time crunch won't force the players' union from accepting a deal that hurts their the future class of players. "We're in this for the better of the game and for the next generation, as well," said the Detroit defenseman. "Of course, anyone can just look in the mirror and say, 'What would be best for you?' But you also owe yourself and the next generation the best possible. So that's something we're very concerned with."

Niklas Kronwall thinks that both sides in the NHL and PA dispute should continue to negotiate as they are close to a deal.

Kronwall is a co-player rep with Detroit, along with Daniel Cleary. "If we're this close, I don't see why we shouldn't keep at it until we have something," Kronwall said. "Just stick with it and let's get this done. A lot of things got accomplished this week."

Niklas Kronwall remains optimistic about the CBA talks.

"That's been our sense the whole time," said Kronwall. "As long you're together and talking, hopefully sooner you can come out with an agreement." The union might come to the NHL with a full proposal on Wednesday, but it looks like both sides still have a lot of work to do before we see another NHL game.

Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall stated Saturday that the proposed two-week hiatus in negotiations is illogical.

Kronwall, the Red Wings player representative stated "I think it just doesn't make sense. Of course, I don't think anyone on our side feels that's the way to go,'' he said, speaking of the NHLPA as a whole. The players have become more and more outspoken throughout the process, however it's difficult to determine what that means in terms of their position in these talks.

NHL players, including Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall, now wonder what the league will try to push through for a schedule should an agreement materialize this month.

There's fear that a schedule would be packed regularly with four games weekly could send a wave of players to sick bay -- especially those who haven't been playing overseas during the lockout. "Any way you look at it, you'd have to play a lot of games," Kronwall said. "There'd obviously be a lot more games played each week. You'd also have an injury factor. You don't want to have guys going down, and then all of a sudden you're hurting the product you put on the ice. So I think you also have to be a little bit cautious." The shorter the season ends up being, the more likely it'll be limited to conference play -- but for a team like the Wings, with home games in the Eastern time zone but road games, outside of Columbus, all between one to three time zones away, that's not an advantage. "Of course, everyone wants to play as many games as possible, there's no doubt about that," Kronwall said. "But at the same time, you have to be. . .cautious."

Although not a lot of details have emerged from Wednesday's CBA negotiating session, the fact that it was very long is being taken as a positive by Niklas Kronwall.

"(But) I don't think there's a need for people to start talking about it too much just yet," Kronwall said. "It's important for the guys (negotiating) to do what they do." The media is being largely kept in the dark about the latest negotiations, but we'll take that as a good sign. Both sides have drastically toned down the rhetoric lately - if not dropped it entirely - which might be an indication of how serious they're treating this latest round of negotiations.