Rafalski

[themule93 1]

green, kaberle, boyle, keith.... all better offensively this season, younger and all around 6 million i assume. Now i do realize that theres no way in hell we're getting anyone of these guys but just think of what 6 million could get you rather than Rafalski.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I'd rather Kindl, I'd rather Maxim Kuznetsov. Rafalski, ah dear.

[themule93 1]

I'd rather Kindl, I'd rather Maxim Kuznetsov. Rafalski, ah dear.

and look at the cap room that would save us, personally i say we bring in a big intimidated defender. someone along the lines of mike komisarek but we all know what happens when someone goes to the leafs, downnnhilll

[zettie85 106]

He hurts our team. Honestly I wish he was a healthy scratch every night. What he does offencively by no means makes up for his defencive short comings. He doesn't go in the corners and just allows the forecheckers to get the puck first. He has definitely lost a step or two. 6 mil would be so nice to have. There are better D-men out there worth 2.5. Then we could splash the rest on another decent forward. Dreams are what make life worth living.

[Motown4013 350]

He has had a disappointing year and definately not worth his 6 million...not even close

[hooon 1,089]

I agree. I have been suggesting for a few seasons that he is awful defensively but everyone always tells me that his other strengths outweigh this... im not so certain. He turns the puck over constantly. He is inept at holding the puck in at the line, even on the most basic passes.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

I was just talking to friends about this. It almost reminds me of a McCabe-esque situation where I feel like he's not worth the money he's being paid. He's just brutal defensively, and his small stature seems to be more of a liability than ever. He seems to cave under any forecheck pressure at all.

[Theophany 110]

He's been fine this year, and he's worth 6 million. Green does just about as much as he does.

He's had a few bad games, but overall he's not been anywhere near as bad as Stuart, and he's only getting $2.25m more.

The defense as a whole has been underperforming (except for Lidstrom), if you want my opinion, so is it really shocking that none of our guys are playing like they're getting paid $3-6 million?

[Aussie_Wing 354]

He's been fine this year, and he's worth 6 million. Green does just about as much as he does.

He's had a few bad games, but overall he's not been anywhere near as bad as Stuart, and he's only getting $2.25m more.

The defense as a whole has been underperforming (except for Lidstrom), if you want my opinion, so is it really shocking that none of our guys are playing like they're getting paid $3-6 million?

Seriously???

Stuart has probably been our most consistent defenceman this season.

[zettie85 106]

He's been fine this year, and he's worth 6 million. Green does just about as much as he does.

He's had a few bad games, but overall he's not been anywhere near as bad as Stuart, and he's only getting $2.25m more.

The defense as a whole has been underperforming (except for Lidstrom), if you want my opinion, so is it really shocking that none of our guys are playing like they're getting paid $3-6 million?

I don't know if we are watching the same team!

Stuart>>>>>>>>>>>Rafalski

Stuart has been pretty solid. Rafalski turns over the puck every game. Everybody who complains about Lebda should be doing the same for Rafalski.

[Miller Brew 0]

He's been fine this year, and he's worth 6 million. Green does just about as much as he does.

He's had a few bad games, but overall he's not been anywhere near as bad as Stuart, and he's only getting $2.25m more.

The defense as a whole has been underperforming (except for Lidstrom), if you want my opinion, so is it really shocking that none of our guys are playing like they're getting paid $3-6 million?

Holy christ did you just say Ralfi is better than Stuart? Stuart has been amazing!

Ralfi has been brutal and he is wayy overpaid for what he brings to the table. He's been lazy and not playing to his full potential. I even made a comment about it in the GDT. I asked Drake Markus if there's a clause in the contract that states if a player isn't playing to their potential then Wings can void out the contract. Ralfi isn't earning his money.

[Theophany 110]

Seriously???

Stuart has probably been our most consistent defenceman this season.

I really hope this was sarcasm.

If not, you need to get your eyes checked and watch Lidstrom play. He's made a grand total of three mistakes all year.

Stuart has either been a huge crappy pylon or has been on fire; Rafalski's blunders have been made up for by some really solid defensive play.

Anyone that thinks Stuart of all people has been our best defender all season is obviously either on drugs or doesn't know anything about hockey.

[Finnish Wing 110]

1. Kronwall

2. Lidstrom

3. Stuart

4. Ericsson

5. Rafalski

...

That has been the ranking of our d-men so far this season IMO. I already said it before in the "value" thread: Raffi is overpaid.

[FinWing 26]

Kronwall is more valuable to the Wings at this point and his cap hit is half of Rafalski's. Stuart is way better than Raffi defensively and would probably put up similar points if he got some serious PP time (both Raffi and Stewie have 1G and 3A at even strength this season).

[dat's sick 1,002]

I don't know what happened to Rafalski.. he used to be okay defensively and a great puckmover, now he's rubbish defensively and can't complete even the easiest of passes it seems. This year, so far, he's definitely not worth the money he makes.

That said, Green and Kaberle are both worse on defense.

[eva unit zero 271]

Rafalski was one of the league's ten best defensemen when he was signed to a 5-year deal. He played well in his first two seasons and has been up and down so far this year. He has also been solid in the playoffs for the Wings.

If you want to have one year deals and dish those out all the time so we don't get caught in a multi-year deal with a player not performing to his salary, fine, but the Wings will be perennial 6-8 seeds or worse and will have a rotating door for their top six forwards, top four defensemen, and goaltender.

[Carman 387]

It's one of those situations where when he first signed it was a good deal, in the middle of the contract it was a average deal, and now it looks like a bad deal. It happens, bad contracts happen we are lucky we only have one. Every contract isn't going to be perfect.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I really hope this was sarcasm.

If not, you need to get your eyes checked and watch Lidstrom play. He's made a grand total of three mistakes all year.

Stuart has either been a huge crappy pylon or has been on fire; Rafalski's blunders have been made up for by some really solid defensive play.

Anyone that thinks Stuart of all people has been our best defender all season is obviously either on drugs or doesn't know anything about hockey.

Yeah man, three.

Realism at it's finest.

[Doc Holiday 0]

He is overpaid. The only asset he gives to this team now is offense. He has no such thing as a defensive game anymore.

[TheWestWing 71]

Rafalski was one of the league's ten best defensemen when he was signed to a 5-year deal. He played well in his first two seasons and has been up and down so far this year. He has also been solid in the playoffs for the Wings.

If you want to have one year deals and dish those out all the time so we don't get caught in a multi-year deal with a player not performing to his salary, fine, but the Wings will be perennial 6-8 seeds or worse and will have a rotating door for their top six forwards, top four defensemen, and goaltender.

Top Ten? based on what - numbers? (gasp!). He was a solid journeyman on a NJ team where he really was only allowed across his own blueline on PPs. Yeah, he's put up some numbers during his tenure here but then again, who hasn't? Our forwards over the past few could have made any Dman look good - just get them the puck. His liabilities along with Stewie's shines thru now like a beacon of mediocrity.

I honestly believe Babs will keep Dats and Hank separated as long as he can as he needs them for their D work as much as their offense. That's because of Stewie and Rafi.

[Carman 387]

Ok so now we are blaming McCrimmon, Bertuzzi, Stuart and Rafalski! Makes sense, waive them Kenny we will never win a Stanley Cup with them!

[Guest Crymson]

green, kaberle, boyle, keith.... all better offensively this season, younger and all around 6 million i assume. Now i do realize that theres no way in hell we're getting anyone of these guys but just think of what 6 million could get you rather than Rafalski.

Let's force him to halve his salary!!!!!!

[Lidstrom for life 20]

I rip on Rafalski while watching the game more than any other wing (except Lebda obviously) but I wonder if its really all his fault. He is clearly an offensive d man and that was fine last year when we won by scoring 4 goals a game. Now that we need to win with defense Rafalski's game just doesn't mesh with what we are trying to do and it shows.

[thedisappearer 291]

I rip on Rafalski while watching the game more than any other wing (except Lebda obviously) but I wonder if its really all his fault. He is clearly an offensive d man and that was fine last year when we won by scoring 4 goals a game. Now that we need to win with defense Rafalski's game just doesn't mesh with what we are trying to do and it shows.

Truth. He was brought in to fill a specific role, which he did very well. Then the team changed it's style of play and his role has changed to one he's not exactly great at. It's hardly his fault.

[zettie85 106]

Truth. He was brought in to fill a specific role, which he did very well. Then the team changed it's style of play and his role has changed to one he's not exactly great at. It's hardly his fault.

Are you saying that he sucked to begin with but just didn't get called out because we were so good? 6 mil is a little much to pay a player like that. He isn't as fast anymore. That is one problem. He can't help that.

On the other hand there are things about his game that he could change to help the team. Go in to the corners to get puck and stop being a *****. He drifts in and lets the forecheckers get the puck first allowing them to set up in our end where we struggle to get possession. It's pathetic watching him. Little Lebda goes into the corners. He may not come out with the puck everytime but at least he gives a s*** enough to try.

Right now Rafalski is a -20 in giveaway/takeaway differential. That is absolutely pathetic for a Leaf's defencemen. He sits only behind Hamrlik and Strudwick in the league. Turnovers are definitely his fault. Bad passes are definitely his fault.

When we got him he was on cup winning teams with Neidermyer and Stevens and Brodeur. What he lacked in defencive skill he made up with smart plays and his speed. He lost some of his speed now he can't beat guys to the puck but still not changing his game to adapt by going into the corners to try and get it.

Again has less speed meaning less time to make decent plays and passes when he has the puck. He lost his speed now and becomes a second rate semi-star. Overpaid. Overrated.

Edited November 27, 2009 by zettie85