Update (10:13 PM): Babcock just told Ken Daniels that Kronwall hasn’t been seen by the team doctors yet (must not have traveled with team). That would explain the lack of an official update during the game.

Daniels asked him if he thought it might be some months and Babcock didn’t know (only has trainers diagnosis), but was able to say “It ain’t pretty, I can tell you that.” Great. I think a sprain is out. We’re looking at another major, long-term injury.

He also characterized the Laraque play as “unacceptable.”

I’m not sure Kindl, Janik, Meech or another similar option’s going to cut it here. Give Chelios a look, Kenny. - Matt

Update (8:51 PM): George thinks it could just be a “couple weeks” sprain based on the fact that Nick could put some weight on it as he went off. I hope so. - Matt

Update (8:19 PM): Video:

Via Kukla. By the way, the Wings scored 2 goals on the power play fest that Laraque triggered. – Matt

Horrible news from Montreal: Nik Kronwall left the Wings/Habs game tonight with an apparent left knee injury.

He suffered the injury on a delayed penalty play involving George Laraque, who was already headed to the box for high-sticking Darren Helm. Laraque stuck his knee out and caught Kronwall’s left knee, tripping him up and taking another penalty.

Nik was helped to the lockerroom and will not return. No word yet on the severity of the injury, but it does not look good. He’ll received X-rays tonight. It’s not pessimistic to think it’s likely to be serious.

If that’s correct, we could see Jakub Kindl get the call-up. He’s still very green, but has improved and, while he’s not as ripe as the Wings like their prospects to be, he may be able to make due in the NHL. Doug Janik is another option. There’s also Derek Meech, obviously, but don’t count on an increased role for him.

But maybe it’s time for the Wings to reconsider their stance on outside help and their decision to part ways with Chris Chelios. Cheli could be signed out of the AHL at a middling rate and could be a definite help. With Andreas Lilja still out indefinitely, the possibility of bringing in a veteran rather than relying on an unproven young player seems to me to be the more attractive option.

All of this is assuming Kronwall’s out for a while, but given the nature of the play, I don’t think that’s an unreasonable assumption.

Laraque, by the way, should be suspended given his history. It wasn’t as egregious as a Marcment knee-on-knee, but it was reckless and dirty.