stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 Edmonton - 5 years at about 5.25 a year for Souray Detroit - 5 years at 6 a year for Rafalski I personally would have rather seen them spend the money on Souray - he's younger, stronger, meaner and provides more offense on the PP Don't get me wrong, Rafalski is a GREAT d-man, but I don't think he really fit our needs like Souray would have, we already arguably have our 3 "puck moving d-men" per defensive pairing - Lidstrom, Kronwall and Lebda and the contract would have been the same length for a younger defenseman that puts a little fear in opposing forwards How does everyone else feel about this? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MacAttack25 44 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 We made the right move. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WingsZR2 1 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 We made the right move. I'll second that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DEVILSWATERBOY 10 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 Edmonton - 5 years at about 5.25 a year for Souray Detroit - 5 years at 6 a year for Rafalski I personally would have rather seen them spend the money on Souray - he's younger, stronger, meaner and provides more offense on the PP Don't get me wrong, Rafalski is a GREAT d-man, but I don't think he really fit our needs like Souray would have, we already arguably have our 3 "puck moving d-men" per defensive pairing - Lidstrom, Kronwall and Lebda and the contract would have been the same length for a younger defenseman that puts a little fear in opposing forwards How does everyone else feel about this? You may be right but take a look at the plus minus on Souray I believe it was -28 last year and Rafaski is coming from one of the best defensive hockey teams in th NHL, he had a +4 which is not as good as Lids but respectful and grew up in Dearborn MIchigan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
glasgowcelticwing 18 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 We made the right move. Rafalski is the better player IMO. We got one of the best Defencemen available. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KrazyGangsta 79 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 Every thing of rafalski is good ... His good on the rush and even better on defense ... the only thing souray has is his 200 mph shot wich he only gets an oppurtunity on PP ... anyways souray sucks on defense his probably worst then lija WAS on defense ... good move from kenny once more getting an upgrade for schneids Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 Souray is a powerplay specialist - that's all. He's brutal ES and absolutely morbid in his own end. We have Rafalski, Kronwall and Lidstrom to be our PP guys. No need for an overpaid, underskilled dman. Not only that, but if you look at Souray's stats he's only had 2 good seasons - both of them contract years. Rafalski is a B+ defenseman while Souray is a C-. Souray will help you win games but players like Rafalski will help you win Cups. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scotzman 29 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 Souray seems like a lot of hype... why did it take so long to sign him? Maybe teams realized he's not the answer. We'll see how good he is playing on a not so good Edmonton team. By the way, I like Rafalski... not that you couldn't tell. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KrazyGangsta 79 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 You may be right but take a look at the plus minus on Souray I believe it was -28 last year and Rafaski is coming from one of the best defensive hockey teams in th NHL, he had a +4 which is not as good as Lids but respectful and grew up in Dearborn MIchigan From my point of view ... +/- doesnt really matter when the player comes from a defensive scheme team ... chances of getting scored on are way more then scoring ... and on top of that he had a + 4 ... he was second on the team ... and souray being number 1 defensmen in mtl ... a non defensive team ... -28 ... that means the guy doesnt know how to play defense lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elshupacabra 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 I think Souray would have filled our need for a scoring Defencemen better, but his stats show him being not so good in his own zone, Rafalski on the other hand, has less points than Souray but is better in the Defensive zone. Rafalski is really more of a threat IMO, Not to undermine Souray's AWESOME shot, but... he is kinda a one trick pony. I think we made the right move too. However, that won't stop me from signing both of them in NHL 07 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 Edmonton - 5 years at about 5.25 a year for Souray Detroit - 5 years at 6 a year for Rafalski I personally would have rather seen them spend the money on Souray - he's younger, stronger, meaner and provides more offense on the PP Don't get me wrong, Rafalski is a GREAT d-man, but I don't think he really fit our needs like Souray would have, we already arguably have our 3 "puck moving d-men" per defensive pairing - Lidstrom, Kronwall and Lebda and the contract would have been the same length for a younger defenseman that puts a little fear in opposing forwards How does everyone else feel about this? First of all- Souray is a horrible fit for the Wings' D because D stands for Defense. Second of all- Rafalski put up similar numbers, although had less than half the goals, he isn't a puck seive either. Souray doesn't scare the opposing team's forwards because they can just skate around him while he stares down the ice at the other net. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 First of all- Souray is a horrible fit for the Wings' D because D stands for Defense. Second of all- Rafalski put up similar numbers, although had less than half the goals, he isn't a puck seive either. Souray doesn't scare the opposing team's forwards because they can just skate around him while he stares down the ice at the other net. Spezza's still smiling. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings_Dynasty 267 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 (edited) Every thing of rafalski is good ... His good on the rush and even better on defense ... the only thing souray has is his 200 mph shot wich he only gets an oppurtunity on PP ... anyways souray sucks on defense his probably worst then lija WAS on defense ... good move from kenny once more getting an upgrade for schneids Good job accentuating the past tense there. I think Lilja will have a great season this year as our 5th d-man. Edited July 13, 2007 by Wings_Dynasty Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JayUp88 1 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 I am still happy with what we got Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Legionnaire11 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 Rafalski >>>>> Souray I hope a lot of you get a chance to meet him too, he's a really nice guy. Several years ago at the Predators games, you used to be allowed to go down to a basement area outside of the locker rooms after games and one or two players would come out and sign autographs (they don't do it anymore because too many people know about it now and it got too crowded). Anyway, one game against the Devils I was down there getting autographs from Jason York and Greg Johnson i think, and Rafalski happened to be escourted in from one door and his family from another door. No one really recognized him except a few of us who kept up with the rest of the league, and when someone said "hey is that Brian Rafalski?" he looked up, smiled and winked. Then after a few seconds with his family, he actually went around and signed a bunch of autographs for Preds fans. I thought that was really cool for a guy to do in an opposing building with his family waiting there to talk to him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings_Fan_In_Exile 3 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 I'm very happy with the choice we made. Rafalski is a very solid Dman and will definately put up some pretty good numbers in Detroit. Souray, as mentioned isn't the most responsible defensively in his own zone. Although IF he was half the price teams think he's worth I'd say he would be a good pick up. Would be nice to have another player who would play with some toughness, stick up for teamates, drop the gloves and all that "grit" talk which we have heard in every thiread since the off-season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest jaytan Report post Posted July 13, 2007 We made the right move here. They're both good, but Rafalski's better and he's a champion. Plus, he'll probably put his best effort into his time in Detroit since he's a local (you might say the same about Souray going back to Alberta). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
superstarsingh 23 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 We got an offensive defenseman, they got a forward who plays terrible defense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RainingBlood 8 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 Like I said before Rafalski was the best D man on the market. He makes plays happen. He is very good at finding the open man on the ice. I talked to some Devils fans who are devestated by his loss. More devestated than loosing Gomez. Rafalski is a leader on and off the ice. The redwings made the right choice by letting Schneider go, he's and old man. Rafalski is yourger and more talented in my eyes. Him and Lidstrom on the powerplay are gonna open up some eyes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoWings1905 2,694 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 (edited) There is no doubt about it - Rafalski is a better player than Souray. Souray is solely a power-play specalist with no defensive capabilities. Rafalski brings offensive and defensive ability to the game. The only thing Souray has going for him is an incredibly wicked shot. Edmonton spent a lot of money for a cone on defense. Besides, Rafalski is a perfect fit in the Red Wings system. He is one of the best puck-moving defensemen in the league, which is a huge asset to the puck-possession game that the Wings utilize so well. I don't think there is any reason to not believe that Rafalski will be a better signing than Souray. Edited July 13, 2007 by GoWings1905 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 everyone's defending Rafalski as though I said he wasn't good, I think he's one hell of a defenseman, and yes, Souray isn't the strongest defensive defenseman, but I think paired with Lidstrom it would have been all kinds of dynamic - I didn't realize that he beat the ever living crap out of Kronner's brother during the lockout in the Swedish league either... so that probably wouldn't have been good for locker room morale - Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 everyone's defending Rafalski as though I said he wasn't good, I think he's one hell of a defenseman, and yes, Souray isn't the strongest defensive defenseman, but I think paired with Lidstrom it would have been all kinds of dynamic - Yeah, Lidstrom's number's and play would suffer because he'd have to follow Souray around bailing him out defensively at even strength. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 everyone's defending Rafalski as though I said he wasn't good, I think he's one hell of a defenseman, and yes, Souray isn't the strongest defensive defenseman, but I think paired with Lidstrom it would have been all kinds of dynamic - I didn't realize that he beat the ever living crap out of Kronner's brother during the lockout in the Swedish league either... so that probably wouldn't have been good for locker room morale - I wouldn't say he beat the ever living crap out of Krownall. That was one sloppy fight. Did anyone even connect with a punch? Either way, I'm glad we've got Rafalski. I'd much rather have him than Souray. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 Souray may have a better shot, & may be physically more imposing, but that's about it...Rafalski is more capable in his own end which as others have pointed out is quite important since he is a Dman; he too is better @ moving the puck up ice - making smart passes, & has good speed/good hands, & a head for the game as a whole...Besides he's coming home to the Detroit area so he'll be 1 happy camper. Very well said. Despite the stats, Rafalski, I believe, is not only better defensively than Souray but also offensively. Souray's whole offensive aresenal depends on the one-timer on the PP. Rafalski can add offense and defense ES and can kill penalties too. He's not as physically imposing, but I guarentee you if you asked the better offensive players in the league who'd they rather face in a 1-on-1 situation, a great majority of them would say Souray. Rafalski doesn't rule with his physical stature, but he's much better defensively. And, he's officially cheaper too. Defensively, Souray would be our 5th-7th dman with top PP time. Rafalski will be our #2 dman and a top PP guy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 I'm happy with Rafalski. Souray reminds me to much of McCabe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
