Guest mindfly Report post Posted April 23, 2010 He hasn't been practicing since before game 3 and since that issue with his back in game 3 he only play games... am I the only one who is worried about this? I wouldn't be surprised if he had a "under-average-performance" during these playoffs and afterwards Kenny reveals he has been playing with a herniated disc in the back or something Hmmm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted April 23, 2010 He hasn't been practicing since before game 3 and since that issue with his back in game 3 he only play games... am I the only one who is worried about this? I wouldn't be surprised if he had a "under-average-performance" during these playoffs and afterwards Kenny reveals he has been playing with a herniated disc in the back or something Hmmm As long as he's playing... Rafalski at 20% > Lebda 1 Hossa4Life reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted April 23, 2010 As long as he's playing... Rafalski at 20% > Lebda I'm not so sure, Rafalski has to play at his top to be the great defenseman he actually can be in some games (read:olympics e.g) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ilmickeyli 40 Report post Posted April 23, 2010 As long as he's playing... Rafalski at 20% > Lebda I dunno.. I mean yeah I agree but Raff hasn't looked great at all Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brett 1,029 Report post Posted April 23, 2010 i thought he was pretty silent in game 4, which is good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted April 23, 2010 i thought he was pretty silent in game 4, which is good. It's not good when a 6million defenseman is silent imo... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hossa4Life 4 Report post Posted April 23, 2010 It's not good when a 6million defenseman is silent imo... Sometimes the best thing for a d-man is never being seen because he never made a mistake. We decided to play lock down stay at home d. This will make it harder for our d to get goals but at least we will cut down on our odd man rushes and break aways. Ill take that performance from raff any day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted April 23, 2010 I dunno.. I mean yeah I agree but Raff hasn't looked great at all no he hasn't - it more speaks to how horrendous Lebda is, opposed to how great Raffi has been... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029 Report post Posted April 23, 2010 It's not good when a 6million defenseman is silent imo... Exactly.Time to let him go imo..as for the injury,no need to panic!we have Janik! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted April 23, 2010 Holland was stupid enough to give him a NTC :/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029 Report post Posted April 23, 2010 Holland was stupid enough to give him a NTC :/ I know.There's gotta be somewhere he would accept a trade to.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted April 23, 2010 New jersey! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029 Report post Posted April 23, 2010 New jersey! Beat me to it! Paul Martin will be a UFA this summer,if i'm not mistaken.I don't think they plan on re-signing him.So Rafalski could fill his spot.Rafalski to New Jersey for David Clarkson and a draft pick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooon 1,089 Report post Posted April 23, 2010 To be honest, I've never loved Rafalski. He can be clutch at times but is so inconsistent and is prone to making pointless mistakes (surprised more people don't mention that here). Its just strange to me that the one time I've seen Rafalski play consistently in top form was this year for Team USA. I never liked his contract, and have some problems with his play, but he is still 12039103192% better than Lebda will ever be. I've been happy with Stuart, wouldn't mind giving him a few more minutes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted April 23, 2010 To be honest, I've never loved Rafalski. He can be clutch at times but is so inconsistent and is prone to making pointless mistakes (surprised more people don't mention that here). Its just strange to me that the one time I've seen Rafalski play consistently in top form was this year for Team USA. I never liked his contract, and have some problems with his play, but he is still 12039103192% better than Lebda will ever be. I've been happy with Stuart, wouldn't mind giving him a few more minutes. I still think the solution is as simple as switching up the D partners *cough* as Bas did last game on several occasions *cough* Lidstrom-Kronwall Stuart-Rafalski Ericsson-Lilja those pairings perfectly compliment each other and maximize each guys ability the best, while still keeping the talent the most accurate as it should be between top 2, middle 2 and bottom 2 pairings... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted April 29, 2010 And he hasn't practiced yet, WHAT THE f*** IS WRONG WITH HIS BACK? Never never never a good sign when a player can't even practice.. Defenseman Brian Rafalski was the only Detroit Red Wing who didn't skate. He hasn't practiced since getting dinged up in Game 3 vs. Phoenix, but coach Mike Babcock said he will play tonight in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals vs. San Jose. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted April 29, 2010 And he hasn't practiced yet, WHAT THE f*** IS WRONG WITH HIS BACK? Never never never a good sign when a player can't even practice.. Chill. Kthx. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z and D for the C 712 Report post Posted April 29, 2010 (edited) Again...if he's playing, it can't be THAT bad. He probably just doesn't want to risk actually making it something bad by chance when he practices. We're talking about practice. Not a game. Edited April 29, 2010 by Z and D for the C Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted April 29, 2010 We're talking about practice. Not a game. How the hell can Rafalski make his teammates better by practicin'? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HockeytownRules19 902 Report post Posted April 29, 2010 (edited) My sister works at a Physical Therapy place in Troy and the mom of a best friend of one of Rafalski's sons goes to therapy there and has actually told my sister about Rafi. You guys have no idea how much pain he is in, they say his back is shot and walks around like a "hunchback." Also she told me that it hurts like hell when he sits down (so he rarely does)... and still he is playing his way through it... Tough ass dude. Edited April 29, 2010 by HockeytownRules19 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted April 29, 2010 My sister works at a Physical Therapy place in Troy and the mom of one of Rafalski's sons best friend goes to therapy there and has actually told my sister about Rafi. You guys have no idea how much pain he is in, they say his back is shot and walks around like a "hunchback." Also she told me that it hurts like hell when he sits down (so he rarely does)... and still he is playing his way through it... Tough ass dude. This truth hurts me... maybe this is why his shot is so weak, every slapshot he takes hurts him really bad Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mastodude 0 Report post Posted April 30, 2010 He hasn't been practicing since before game 3 and since that issue with his back in game 3 he only play games... am I the only one who is worried about this? I wouldn't be surprised if he had a "under-average-performance" during these playoffs and afterwards Kenny reveals he has been playing with a herniated disc in the back or something Hmmm Boy oh boy, did we jump the gun a little bit? I'm a little taken aback by what some of you have said here (not just you, mr.Mindfly) Have you (folks) even been watching the playoffs? Let us go to the numbers, shall we.... -Team leader in +/- for the season. -+3 post season, with a goal and 5 assists (6 points, right up there with Lids and Stuart) through 8 games. -55,59 points past 2 season, among best on Wings roster. 42 this season, still top 6 on the team! -Avg. a little over 20 minutes a night. For the person who suggest Stuart should play more, HE HAS BEEN! TURN ON THE TV AND WATCH!! Granted, it's on the PK, but c'mmmmmooooooonnnnnn, your making this too easy for me! Alright, so maybe my points may seem like an attack, and I'm not trying to do that. So I will apologize for that, but to say Rafalski is under performing or not playing to his potential is absurd and uneducated.And now you also know the reason why. You want to talk weak D, point your fingers at Stuart and Ericcson. I understand Stuart's a +6 right now, however his play has cost the team in the past. -12 on the season. But no, your right, put him top line. I also realize this thread was made 5 days ago, and some things have changed. Don't count Rafalski out, it's never a safe bet. And if your going to, bring some fact to the table. There is a pretty solid reason he has a no trade contract. I think I'll take the word of Kenny Holland over 'fans' on a forum. I've watched every game this season RELIGIOUSLY, and while Rafalski has made his mistakes, he's still a top line D man, and the second best you've got. Stuart=on ice liability. Same with Ericcson. But go ahead and trade Rafalski back to NJ. Now THAT was an educated suggestion.:clap: Looking forward to game 2... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
