SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted July 7, 2007 http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&a...rticleid=327962 Another Wings-focused article on NHL.com by Larry Wigge about the signing of Rafalski. Also has reports on the other Central Division teams. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T-Ruff 47 Report post Posted July 7, 2007 Agreed... I'd rather have Rafalski than Schneider, I'm glad it worked out that way.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted July 7, 2007 Theres only one thing Schnieder has on Rafalski and thats his shot. But Rafalski's defensive play more then makes up for that. Also , with Niedermayer probably retiring this summer , The Norris candidates will be Rafalski , Lidstrom and Pronger. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HockeyCrazy3033 168 Report post Posted July 7, 2007 Rafalski is a fantastic addition. I was just think about this earlier today and got really excited. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest jaytan Report post Posted July 7, 2007 Well, I'm as pumped up as anyone over the addition of Rafalski... But our offence is pathetic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yzerman&thewings=CUP 0 Report post Posted July 7, 2007 I just noticed something. As far as d-men go we have Lidstrom, Rafalski, Chelios, Kronwall, Lebda, and Lilja, they also mentioned Quincey. Where is Kindl going to fit in here? Is he going to just be in the AHL waiting for an injury? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BeeRYCE 2 Report post Posted July 7, 2007 Also , with Niedermayer probably retiring this summer , The Norris candidates will be Rafalski , Lidstrom and Pronger. Hmm, not too sure about that. Plenty of other possible fish in the sea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted July 7, 2007 Hmm, not too sure about that. Plenty of other possible fish in the sea. Maybe Phaneuf or Zubov , not many other guys are Norris calibre(sp). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gordie Howe hat trick 110 Report post Posted July 7, 2007 I know the more I think about Rafalski putting on the wheel, the more excited I get to see our D next season. I think as per usual it will be top notch, but better than before. In my opinion Rafalski>Schneider. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted July 8, 2007 Well, I'm as pumped up as anyone over the addition of Rafalski... But our offence is pathetic. How so? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NothinButSwedes40 0 Report post Posted July 8, 2007 I don't see how someone could call our offence pathetic. Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Holmstrom, and Draper have already proved their worth. Hudler got garbage minutes last year and still managed what, 15 goals? I'm ready to see what he can do getting 3rd line shifts. And to go along with that, after all of the waiting we'll finally get to see if Grigorenko pans out to what scouts have him hyped up to be. The bitchin needs to stop. I think its safe to say we now have the best defence in the league, one of the best goalies of all time and all people can think to do is piss and moan because we didnt sign Briere, Drury, or Smyth to a 6 year 65 million dollar deal? Get over it. Overspending teams go nowhere. And I'm almost sure Holland will have a few surprises near the trade deadline. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lou_Siffer 1 Report post Posted July 8, 2007 While im not exaclty jumping up and down, one thing i can say for sure is Holland got off the schneid when he signed Rafalski. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhiteLightning91 105 Report post Posted July 8, 2007 And I'm almost sure Holland will have a few surprises near the trade deadline. Red Wing fans haven't had to wait for anything for about 15 years. People aren't use to it. But all this bitching shows that we have some of the most passionate fans of any sport. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pucks 66 Report post Posted July 8, 2007 The one thing that i think gets overlooked in the Rafalski signing is this. When schneider came here Lidstrom started shooting less and less and didn't seem to score as many PP goals. Since Rafalski is not known for his point shot i think Lidstrom will once again start shooting more and that's good news for us. His shot is hard, accurate and has eyes. Not to mention the guy is able to walk the blue line so its not blocked and keeps the goalie moving. I have a good feeling about our PP this year, I'm thinking top 10 again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NothinButSwedes40 0 Report post Posted July 8, 2007 Passionate fans should understand, this isn't NHL 2K7 where you can put together a team with Crosby Ovechkin and Datsyuk all on the same line with Brodeur in net and Lidstrom and Pronger being your two top D-Men. There is a salary cap, and players are demanding way more then their worth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Earthhuman 8 Report post Posted July 8, 2007 The problem is that the money is there and the empty roster spot is also there. However, I know Holland has been busy and is doing all he can; I'm sure we will have another fine season, seeing as we are a playoff team ALREADY with 9 million in cap space. Remember: Free Agency started less than a week ago. There is plenty of time left, and we didn't throw away the future for one season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evil204 4 Report post Posted July 8, 2007 (edited) I don't see how someone could call our offence pathetic. Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Holmstrom, and Draper have already proved their worth. Hudler got garbage minutes last year and still managed what, 15 goals? I'm ready to see what he can do getting 3rd line shifts. And to go along with that, after all of the waiting we'll finally get to see if Grigorenko pans out to what scouts have him hyped up to be. The bitchin needs to stop. I think its safe to say we now have the best defence in the league, one of the best goalies of all time and all people can think to do is piss and moan because we didnt sign Briere, Drury, or Smyth to a 6 year 65 million dollar deal? Get over it. Overspending teams go nowhere. And I'm almost sure Holland will have a few surprises near the trade deadline. It's not really overspending, it's how much players are worth now. I don't get how guys that weren't worth $6M before the lockout can get $8M now, but...oh well. We will have to "overspend" if we want a good team. We didn't do that this year because we didn't have the money to sign any of the top free agents. And we definitely don't have the best defense in the league. It may be one of the most talented, but the lack of size and toughness will kill us. Edited July 8, 2007 by evil204 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted July 8, 2007 It's not really overspending, it's how much players are worth now. I don't get how guys that weren't worth $6M before the lockout can get $8M now, but...oh well. We will have to "overspend" if we want a good team. We didn't do that this year because we didn't have the money to sign any of the top free agents. And we definitely don't have the best defense in the league. It may be one of the most talented, but the lack of size and toughness will kill us. Person A: ..."we'll do fine!" Person B: "No, we won't!" Person A: "Of course we will [reasons...]) Person B: "No! You don't understand!" This is about the jist of the present conversation. It's like arguing with someone who is depressed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyMountainWingGal 108 Report post Posted July 8, 2007 While im not exaclty jumping up and down, one thing i can say for sure is Holland got off the schneid when he signed Rafalski. Nice...noone else picked that up. I like that Holland is not overpaying for players. We've been bit in the butt by that before. Let's just wait and see how the season goes... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
p_diddy_datsyuk_13 2 Report post Posted July 8, 2007 rafalski has more than one purpose in detroit... for now he is a replacement for schneider... but with a 5 year deal, he will step up once lidstrom retires... he is making more than schneider is, and has a far less spectacular shot... so there is more to this deal than just replacing schneider... and if kronwall continues to emerge, our defense will be just fine Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clutchngrab 12 Report post Posted July 8, 2007 (edited) As far as swapping Schneider for Refalski - its hard to not to like - especially considering 33 vs. 38. As far as 5 yr at 6 mil... Not sure about that - but I think it makes the most sense for what the wings needed to do at this time. We do however need another power forward and we will get one sooner or later. Ideally a top 6 power forward, but don't forget we are loaded at D w/ lots of young talent waiting to get in - especially if Markov is resigned. Some of these may be used for a trade. Actually I would to see Holland make an RFA offer to Penner. Burke has to be chaffing at the cap by now... Edited July 8, 2007 by clutchngrab Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Superman54 91 Report post Posted July 8, 2007 I don't see how someone could call our offence pathetic. Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Holmstrom, and Draper have already proved their worth. Hudler got garbage minutes last year and still managed what, 15 goals? I'm ready to see what he can do getting 3rd line shifts. And to go along with that, after all of the waiting we'll finally get to see if Grigorenko pans out to what scouts have him hyped up to be. The bitchin needs to stop. I think its safe to say we now have the best defence in the league, one of the best goalies of all time and all people can think to do is piss and moan because we didnt sign Briere, Drury, or Smyth to a 6 year 65 million dollar deal? Get over it. Overspending teams go nowhere. And I'm almost sure Holland will have a few surprises near the trade deadline. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick 42 Report post Posted July 8, 2007 As far as swapping Schneider for Refalski - its hard to not to like - especially considering 33 vs. 38. As far as 5 yr at 6 mil... Not sure about that - but I think it makes the most sense for what the wings needed to do at this time. We do however need another power forward and we will get one sooner or later. Ideally a top 6 power forward, but don't forget we are loaded at D w/ lots of young talent waiting to get in - especially if Markov is resigned. Some of these may be used for a trade. Actually I would to see Holland make an RFA offer to Penner. Burke has to be chaffing at the cap by now... Brian Burke is on record saying he will match any offer made to Dustin Penner. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
