There is no argument. You have a job to make money. If you can get a raise, you take it. Its personal preference. And yes, our d is average. Maybe even below average. Nick and Matt were the 2 best out of the defense last season hands down. How Rafalski is better than Matt is beyond me. Ralf totaled 8 goals and 47 assists in 82 games played. Matt had 11 goals and 41 assists in just 68 games. And no one can deny that Matts blueline shots look like they came flying out of a cannon. I wont even comment about Kronwall because his injuries speak for themselves. The guy is injury prone. It doesnt matter if its the same injury or a new injury it still sidelines him. So to point out what inuries they are is irrelevant. Lilja, Ference and Chelios all had GREAT seasons by tallying how many goals together? ZERO. Does anyone still really enjoy the nastalgia Chelios brings to the team or do they see the real problem in that Chelios simply can not hang anymore? The guy is washed up. I wont deny we have some young talent that could have possibilities, but some of these guys are 2nd and 3rd year already and havnt done squat. Nick is getting old. Lets face it. He's one of the last standing in the famed dynasty. Is he really prepared to play 30 plus minutes a game this year chasing players 10 years younger than him? So yes, I would say our D is average at best. Sorry, but Rafalski isnt the answer to the defensive woes.
