Guest Crymson Report post Posted October 19, 2007 Rafalski is certainly quieter than Schneider--that is, he's not nearly as much a presence as Schneider, with the latter's booming shot. However, he very well may be a much better fit for this team than Schneider was. Look at his stats--although he's a -1 (most of his points come on the power play), he's 2-6 for 8 in 8 games. Not bad, eh? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DetroitIan Report post Posted October 19, 2007 Rafalski is certainly quieter than Schneider--that is, he's not nearly as much a presence as Schneider, with the latter's booming shot. However, he very well may be a much better fit for this team than Schneider was. Look at his stats--although he's a -1 (most of his points come on the power play), he's 2-6 for 8 in 8 games. Not bad, eh? I couldn't agree more on all aspects. He really doesn't have the same presence that Schneider had. But yeah man, his style seams to suite this team perfectly. And as long as we can start getting some calls our way, we should have tons of PP success with a guy like Brian Rafalski on the blue line with Nick. Im really looking forward to seeing what this pair can do through 82 games. And what a great feeling it is to know we will have a class act like Rafalski for atleast 6 more years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cicada 4 Report post Posted October 19, 2007 Rafalski's been sweet thus far... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckbags 863 Report post Posted October 19, 2007 I think it was his best game of the year against the Sharks!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zion 93 Report post Posted October 19, 2007 So long as he isn't hurt... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted October 19, 2007 So long as he isn't hurt... One of the best things about Rafalski is that he knows how to stay healthy (knock on wood). He's alot like Lidstrom in this way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob the Badger 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2007 He had a great game against the Sharks, both offensively and defensively. The D put some big points on the board in San Jose. I think that Raf is going to fit right in with his home town team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted October 19, 2007 He's been exactly what I thought he'd be. He can score points on the PP, and is a good quarterback back there, but is prone to turning the puck over from time to time. Also, Lidstrom hasn't produced on the scoreboard for the last few games, and I wonder how much of that is due to Rafalski being paired with him instead of defensive defenseman. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mors 201 Report post Posted October 19, 2007 Rafalski looks great on offense, but I don't think he's looked too hot defensively so far. This was definitely his best game yet,. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted October 19, 2007 (edited) While Rafalski has made a mistake or two so far this year, he doesn't make nearly as many as Schneider did. A lot of people used to overlook Schneider's defensive lapses due to his shot at the point and PP success. IMO, a defenseman's actual defensive responsibility is a hell of a lot more important than a strong shot from the point. The importance of these two skills should *not* be reversed. Rafalski's Defense > Schneider's Shot Better yet.....Rafalski's defense, yet lighter shot > Schneider's heavy shot, yet more mistake prone defense Edited October 19, 2007 by Never Forget Mac #25 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted October 19, 2007 While Rafalski has made a mistake or two so far this year, he doesn't make nearly as many as Schneider did. A lot of people used to look over Schneider's defensive lapses due to his shot at the point and PP success. IMO, a defenseman's skill set in order of importance should look like this: 1. Defensive responsibility 2. A strong shot from the point. These two skills should *not* be reversed. Rafalski's Defense > Schneider's Shot Better yet.....Rafalski's defense, yet lighter shot > Schneider's heavy shot, yet more mistake prone defense I agree. Rafalskis offensive is all there, and it seems hes tightening his defense up every game. I think hell only get better on the back end, and hes already as good back there as Schneider was. You cant underestimate the transition hes having to make. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theman19 47 Report post Posted October 19, 2007 rafalski adds something we havn't had on this squad in a while. His passing really opens up the ice. Before lids and matty would just stand there and blast the puck, most of the time it didn't work so much. For example last year,...we don't score that pretty goal on the 5-3, because they never try that down low pass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted October 19, 2007 Also, Rafalski is a big game player, which showed last night. He's a proven winner. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest jaytan Report post Posted October 19, 2007 He's sure been a good fit! I miss Schneider less and less every time Rafalski takes the ice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,232 Report post Posted October 19, 2007 However, he very well may be a much better fit for this team than Schneider was. I've been saying so since the day he signed. It will probably be a little while before he's 100% comfortable with the Wings' style of play, but that's only because he's played NJ's system for so long. His natural inclination is toward our system, and once he gets totally accustomed to it, he's going to be even better than he is now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
datsyukismyfriend 4 Report post Posted October 19, 2007 While Rafalski has made a mistake or two so far this year, he doesn't make nearly as many as Schneider did. A lot of people used to overlook Schneider's defensive lapses due to his shot at the point and PP success. IMO, a defenseman's actual defensive responsibility is a hell of a lot more important than a strong shot from the point. The importance of these two skills should *not* be reversed. Rafalski's Defense > Schneider's Shot Better yet.....Rafalski's defense, yet lighter shot > Schneider's heavy shot, yet more mistake prone defense rafalski is definitely a better fit. and i think his defensive lapses will be ironed as he's still adjusting to the wings. but you're right, even the way he's playing now he's better defensively than schneider was. as for schneider's shot, i was never a huge fan. he had a heavy heavy shot, but on the pp, more often than not, it just disrupted the rhythm. usually, if he got it through, it was right into the goalies chest, and often enough to be noteworthy he got it blocked at he blue line for a rush the other way. rafalski picks his places better for his shot and he's smarter with it, even though its a softer shot. and even though rafalski probably won't have as many goals as schneider did, our pp is dramatically better with rafalski in it because we aren't disrupting our rhythm with countless ineffective and ill-timed shots from the blue line. so, i don't know if any of this makes sense, but essentially, i think rafalski is not only better for this team defensively, but offensively as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,232 Report post Posted October 19, 2007 (edited) our pp is dramatically better with rafalski in it because we aren't disrupting our rhythm with countless ineffective and ill-timed shots from the blue line. Truth. Honestly, saying we'll miss Schneider's shot on the PP is provincial, as working that part of the umbrella is about much, much more than just winding up and slapping (and like you said, Schneider isn't even especially good at choosing when to wind up and slap). Rafalski has a much better feel for his functions at that position, and is better equipped -- both mentally and physically -- to do what's necessary in just about any given situation. If he can become as comfortable with this system as he was with the Devils' (and there's no doubt in my mind that he can and will), and if we can snag a scoring winger at the tread deadline, our PP is going to be absolutely devastating -- for the other team, that is. Edited October 19, 2007 by Dabura Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
datsyukismyfriend 4 Report post Posted October 19, 2007 (edited) Truth. Honestly, saying we'll miss Schneider's shot on the PP is provincial, as working that part of the umbrella is about much, much more than just winding up and slapping (and like you said, Schneider isn't even especially good at choosing when to wind up and slap). Rafalski has a much better feel for his functions at that position, and is better equipped -- both mentally and physically -- to do what's necessary in just about any given situation. If he can become as comfortable with this system as he was with the Devils' (and there's no doubt in my mind that he can and will), and if we can snag a scoring winger at the tread deadline, our PP is going to be absolutely devastating -- for the other team, that is. absolutely. if this team can ice two formidable scoring lines we will be very tough to stop. we already have a good team. but with a second line that can score this team would be cup favorites, imo. Edited October 19, 2007 by datsyukismyfriend Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
