Helping Wolves win the Cup remains Krog's only focus
There's a reason why Chicago Wolves center Jason Krog was the American Hockey League's most valuable player.
When the Wolves needed him most, trailing in their Calder Cup West Division final series against Rockford 3-2, Krog was there coming up big. He scored 2 power-play goals in Game 6 to help rally the Wolves to victory and got another Tuesday in Game 7 at Allstate Arena when the Wolves disposed of the IceHogs 4-1.
Krog's 39 goals and 112 points during the regular season earned him the Les Cunningham Award as the AHL's MVP, certainly a nice honor, but it's the Calder Cup that Krog is after.
"That's what you play for, to win championships," Krog said.
Krog speaks from experience. At 32 years old, he's no kid anymore and has played 198 games in the National Hockey League, including a full season with the Anaheim Ducks in 2003-04.
The reality is Krog may never get back to the NHL. It didn't help that he never even got a call-up this season by the Atlanta Thrashers, the Wolves' parent club, despite his staggering offensive numbers and the fact the Thrashers were a non-playoff team.
"I can only control what I'm doing where I am, so I'm just trying to have fun here and help this team win," Krog said prior to the playoffs. "Maybe earlier in my career I might be disappointed, but this is such a great place to play here and if you're having fun and winning, why complain and worry about stuff you can't control."
Wolves coach John Anderson was happy to have Krog all season. Without him the Wolves might not have won the Western Conference and had home ice in the Western Conference finals against the Toronto Marlies that start Friday night in Rosemont.
On the AHL level, Krog is a special player.
"Jason is smarter than everybody out there," Anderson said. "Coupled with his talent, that's what makes him great. That's why (Darren) Haydar was great last year. They're just smarter than everybody out there. They know what's going on and read the plays. There are some young guys out there with the same amount of talent, but they don't see the things (Krog) sees. That's just experience, talent and understanding what's going on out there."
It was reported recently by The Hockey News that Krog will consider returning to Europe to play next season if he doesn't get a legitimate NHL offer this summer. Krog played in Europe from 2004-06 before returning to North American in hopes of getting back to the NHL.
Those decisions will be made later. Right now Krog has a Cup to win with an organization he can't say enough good things about.
"It's just a great place to play here," Krog said. "The ownership treats us so well, the coaching staff give us every opportunity to succeed and, obviously, the players around me - if you go through our lineup there's probably 10-12 all-stars on our team. And when you're playing with guys like that it raises your level and you do things you never thought you could."
tsassone@dailyherald.com