Booster313 138 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 Is it just me or does Rafalski turn over the puck way too much for a six million dollar defensemen? I know he is having a career offensive year and his right handed pass on the point is a rarity but I am disappointed with his defensive ability. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
irishtemper14+25 11 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 i have seen him only make 2 big turnovers, one which came tonight and one a while ago. I am happy with him, and no one on the earth can log the minutes he does without making a few bad plays(unless your lids) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Booster313 138 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 i have seen him only make 2 big turnovers, one which came tonight and one a while ago. I am happy with him, and no one on the earth can log the minutes he does without making a few bad plays(unless your lids) I thought that maybe it's because he plays next to lids that his mistakes are glaring but he doesn't seem that strong on the puck and I've noticed a few bad turnovers. I'm not saying he sucks and this is really the first year I've watched him play( I didn't follow him in Jersey) but when he came here last summer people said that he was like Schneider except a little worse defensively and to me it seems he's a little worse than Schneider in that aspect. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IceMunkee 15 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 I am not saying he is terrible, but missing a wide open net. He had a couple turnovers tonight, they did result in a goal but if they would have??? He also is almost non-existant physically. I am not saying hang him or anything but I don't think he was an upgrade over Schnieds or an equal either... Oh and he has really bad hair... He should shave that shniff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Booster313 138 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 (edited) I am not saying he is terrible, but missing a wide open net. He had a couple turnovers tonight, they did result in a goal but if they would have??? He also is almost non-existant physically. I am not saying hang him or anything but I don't think he was an upgrade over Schnieds or an equal either... Oh and he has really bad hair... He should shave that shniff LMAO...yeah he should go with the Bruce Willis look. Edited January 18, 2008 by Booster313 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grittzkey 1 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 Meh, Im neither here or there on Rafalski. With the amount of time we have the puck, People are bound to turnover the puck, Dont think to much into it. We are winning we are the best.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Booster313 138 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 Meh, Im neither here or there on Rafalski. With the amount of time we have the puck, People are bound to turnover the puck, Dont think to much into it. We are winning we are the best.. I agree I just think that the money could have been spent elsewhere. Your right though we're winning.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
#19=Legend 29 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 I dont get how people cab jump on someone over a few turnovers or a missed net. it happens. Yea he missed a wide open net from 10 feet away, he should have made it. but so what. But were wings fan and we expect perfection. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Booster313 138 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 I dont get how people cab jump on someone over a few turnovers or a missed net. it happens. Yea he missed a wide open net from 10 feet away, he should have made it. but so what. But were wings fan and we expect perfection. Your right we are spoiled, and my opinion didn't come from tonights game, I've formed this from watching him play over the dozen of so games I've seen at the Joe this year. I'm not trying to hang him or anything just offering my opinion and waiting to hear the LGW faithful chime in. After all what are discussion board for if not for debates? Would be pretty boring if everyone responded with yes, I agree, yep, your right.... LOL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rice 42 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 This is why he's in the echelon below Pronger, Niedermayer, and Lidstrom. He's a damn good defenseman...I think most of us are just spoiled after years of watching Lidstrom's flawless play night in and night out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IceMunkee 15 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 Your right we are spoiled, and my opinion didn't come from tonights game, I've formed this from watching him play over the dozen of so games I've seen at the Joe this year. I'm not trying to hang him or anything just offering my opinion and waiting to hear the LGW faithful chime in. After all what are discussion board for if not for debates? Would be pretty boring if everyone responded with yes, I agree, yep, your right.... LOL Why would we not expect perfection. At $6,000,000 we should get perfection or less turnovers? Well said! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut40 176 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 I think Raffy is 10 times better than Schneider. He has some turnove, but not nearly as much as Schneids. I'd say they're about the same offesively though. But maybe 6 million is a little much. Maybe like 4.5 or 5. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lou_Siffer 1 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 Well since Lidstrom is Flava Flav, is this his partner in crime? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 Well since Lidstrom is Flava Flav, is this his partner in crime? Yikes. If we are trying to get the real Slim Shady to please stand up still, I don't think Rafalski is him. Anyways, Rafalski is fine. He plays next to Lidstrom who plays close to flawless hockey nearly every night. Got to lower our expectations just a little bit. They aren't always going to be perfect out there. Rafalski's fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 Man, what are we going to do when Lids retires and we have mere mortals on the blueline? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clutchngrab 12 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 Well Lids has not been mr. wonderful lately either. I'll still take Rafalski over snyder any day of the week. 6 mil? Well thats investment is still to be determined. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 We should impeach him... or at least trade him for Fedorov! Get 'er dun Kenny! Call 1-800-Hanson Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
interminded 1 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 So, Rafalski is not allowed to make mistakes ? let's say he made 2 / 3 turnovers thus far.. and now let's count how many probable goals he stopped by his excellent defensive work. Still counting right ? ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 (edited) Rafalski is great defenseman, he is not playing his top game recently, but I am sure he will pick it up soon, he is definitely upgrade over Schneider. 6 mil is lot, but I think he's worth it. Edited January 18, 2008 by Reds4Life Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therock48880 14 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 What the conversation between Illitch and Rafalski's agent should have sounded like: Illitch: We'll give you 6 million a year and he'll get to play alongside possibly the greatest d-man ever. However, once he signs the contract he will be compared to Lidstrom and will never be able to live up to fan expectations of him. Every turnover will be scrutinized while Lidstrom can have a horrible turnover that leads to a 3 on 1 the other way which will be ignored. The only way the fans will eventually begin to approve of his play is if he can play effectively until he is 45 years old. If he needs more information, please have him contact Mathieu Schneider" C'mon, guys, he's NOT Lidstrom. (No goals at home THIS YEAR???) Funny how everyone just overlooks any flaw in Lidstroms game but is all over everyone else if they mess up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seeinred 1,488 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 Every turnover will be scrutinized while Lidstrom can have a horrible turnover that leads to a 3 on 1 the other way which will be ignored. Sir, that has never happened and never will. To think Nick has ever made a bad play in his life is preposterous. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 At the premiun even mediocore defensemen have been going for these days, Rafalski was a good deal. He's not perfect, but I still consider him a large upgrade from Schneider (who I did like). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lidsyukerberg 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 I like Raf personally, but it's kind of an up and down sort of like. I've seen quite a few turnovers myself (only a couple that were truly detrimental), but I balance that with some of the really good plays I've seen him make so I'm good with it. Kind of an, "Oh no, I can't believe he just did that" to a "Wow! I can't believe he just did that."I think he's a good two way player, sure his defensive play isn't always spectacular, but I've seen him make some pretty good defensive plays. But at the same time, for a defenseman, he can score. Definitely an upgrade from Schneids so, no complaint from me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 I'm not so worried about Rafalski. The guy is a solid D-man with great offensive potential, but for some reason is just a little off right now. Schneider was at best a mediocore D-man with great offensive potential.......I'll take Rafalski. Besides, you gotta think Raf has opened his game up being partnered with Lids. He knows he's got the best defenseman in the world covering him so he probably takes more chances than he would if he was partnered with Kronwall or Lebda. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stormboy 47 Report post Posted January 18, 2008 so he makes a few bad turnovers. i think that if schnides was still here, we'd be seeing even more out of him. i mean, look, the guy's a plus twelve...which is good for 3rd among defensmen on the wings. maybe you could expect more, but, and stop me if i'm wrong here, he normally doesn't get paired with lids in even strength situations, right? lids is unique because he's amazing at offense and defense. if he plays with a stay at home guy, there will be a lot less goals against...and if he plays with an offensive minded defenseman, there will be a lot more goals for. rafalski is great at offense, but not as stellar at d. so with the amount he's producing upfront, i'll give a little on the backend. i'd be concerned if he was -10, but +12 is nothing to scoff at. just my opinion. sidenote: there are certainly times when watching a game when i'm like, "rafalski, you dumb f***!" but there are about three players on the wings that i don't say that to from time to time. *shrug* when he starts turning the puck over that lead to goals against way more than he's scoring, then i'll start bashing him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
