Pucks 66 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 Would have been nice to add some more toughness to the lineup like Smyth and Stuart. I like Rafalski but he's more of what we have already. Maybe Kenny knows that lidstrom is retiring after the season and Rafalski is going to bridge the gap while Kindle develops? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 We need to resign Markov, because as good as Rafalski is, he is not physical enough. We were lacking physical defencemen last season, and by adding Rafalski, we get another small, puck-moving defenseman. We still will not get the intimidating D-man we truly need. Markov, Rafalski, and Schneider are all basically the same size. Rafalski is easily the best defenseman of the three. And joining the lineup if we don't sign a gritty depth defenseman will be Kyle Quincey, who is noticeably bigger than the three I mentioned. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 At least one person that I can agree with about the Rafalski contract. I am darn glad we got him but $6mil is pretty steep. I wouldn't have resigned Schneider for the money he got so I agree with Holland but it almost seems like this was a panic move on his part. We lost our #2 guy on D so he goes and grabs the next best guy on the list, price be darned. What about Sheldon Souray? Is he really that bad on defense? I would have been tempted to offer him that kind of money mainly because he's much younger. Not that Rafs is old, but a youth movement would be nice. Rafalski is cheaper and better than Souray. For that kind of money we needed to replace both Schneider's offense and Markov's defense. Rafalski does that. Souray doesn't even come close. I'm sorry but if for that money I'd rather have Ryan Smyth. Who knows, maybe he had no interest coming here. It still sucks. This guy is Yzerman like in putting his heart and soul (and body) into the game. Dan Cleary showed that kind of grit in the playoffs, too bad he didn't have the talent of Smyth. Smyth is not like Yzerman. Yzerman never squabbled with a team that was built around him over 500k like Smyth did in Edmonton. Especially in a cap situation, with an offer that was more than fair. As far as Bertuzzi, I can't argue against letting him go either. It stinks but tying up that money for a questionable situation is not cool considering you have to resign Zetterberg next year for around $6 - $7mil. What is frustrating is there doesn't seem to have been a contingency plan for losing Bert or missing out on Smyth. Holland jumped at Rafs but is sitting back on the O. Is that our glaring weakness?? I don't seem to recall the D suffering last year, even through the injuries in the playoffs. We lost because the power play couldn't score. That's because Anaheim keyed on Nick big time. That's because Schneider and Kronwall were injured and Samuelsson wasn't a serious threat. Rafalski gives us someone younger and better than Schneider to take that spot. Yes, our top line was killer, but what about everyone else? The 2nd line sucked. The 3rd line has their role and if they happen to score well that's a major bonus. I loved the passion and zip of the 4th line but it was rarely used. Ok great, we got rid of the scrubs from the 2nd line and some other deadweight. What is left? If you wait too long you have to pick from everyone else's scrubs. Sometimes you'll find a Cleary but more often than not you'll find a Calder. We could have had Anson Carter last year but Holland doesn't like dishing out multi year contracts to new free agents so he turned down the 1 year offer. Funny how he wound up in Columbus with a 1 year offer. Anson Carter is about the last player the Wings need. He's soft, bad defensively, and can't pass. he has a decent shot, but he costs way too much. I would rather have Hudler on the second line than Carter. Hudler has a better shot, is a better passer, and is better defensively. Oh, and Hudler is tougher than Carter. And to top it all off..Hudler costs a few million less. It's tough to hear the rhetoric of a GM saying how they are going to go out and try to nab some top guys and come up a bit short. Again, good job on Rafalski, don't agree with the money but what can ya do? Now that the top guys are gone for the most part, guys like Fedorov and Yashin are on the radar? Seriously? I guess it's better than nothing and maybe they can regain some of their old form but if that's what you are counting on to make a difference I just don't know what to say. I just don't want to turn into the Leafs in relying on guys nobody has heard of and old guys who used to be great and just can't quite cut it anymore. Anyone who seriously expected the Wings to go out and sign Drury or Gomez or Smyth is on crack. The Wings needed to either retain or replace Schneider and Markov. Going with Rafalski/Quincey accomplishes both and only increases payroll by about 500k. I still have faith in Holland regardless of what I may say in a moment of disgust but to sit back and say you aren't even a little concerned is somewhat startling. I want to win Stanley Cups, not just get to the playoffs and fizzle out. We already have the Pistons for that and that act has now become old. Yeah, we almost had the Ducks but almost and a quarter will get you a bus ride to the other side of town. "almost" is worth 75 cents? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
epps 0 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 About time some one else stepped up and said it, Go Wings indeed... we are sitting so pretty and few realize it... http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.ph...t&p=1114368 My thoughts on Bertuzzi are long winded.... Word Ummm- how exactly are we "sitting pretty"? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 Ummm- how exactly are we "sitting pretty"? The Wings roster last season nearly made it to the SCF when nobody expected them to make it that far. And the roster hasn't changed much, and I doubt the hunger/determination to try to win a Cup for most of the guys on the current roster isn't gone. It may not be completely sitting pretty but this roster is far from being a pile of junk. They are fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 The only concern I have is the lack of grit, And with Bert not coming back It really stings. But Kenny has already stated that he was now going for that. So I trust in him to get it done. Really? Did you watch the playoffs. There was no "lack of grit" and who did we lose from that team that was "gritty"? Markov is about it. Bertuzzi never showed up. So we need a Markov like D man, then we should be set. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 Annnnnnnnnnnnnnndy Sutton please!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
