Evaluating the Rafalski "Deal"

[Guest Grayne Wetzky]

After the Wings took the cup in 2008, I was of the opinion that this signing was a great one. However, he's been hurt a lot since then and has shown himself to be very weak on the puck when the play gets tough in the playoffs. I'm not so sure that the Wings made a good move by giving this guy a 5 year deal. Whacha think?

[redwingfan19 293]

dude i love your user name

[Klunzo 36]

I want the Rafalski from the Olympics to come out and play. All would be forgiven.

[Salviaman 104]

He brings more to the table than Lilja and Lebda

[nosyt612 103]

Well he was a huge piece of the puzzle in 2008, and well not as good now i think he gets alot of unfair criticism. I think it was a good signing.

[Guest Grayne Wetzky]

He and Ericsson just gave up the 3rd goal.

Why can't Babcock see that this pair is a HUGE liability right now?

Jesus.

Babcock is a bad coach. I don't blame Rafalski for taking the ice when his number is called. I blame the coach for not making changes that HELP the team.

[Guest mjtm77]

He and Ericsson just gave up the 3rd goal.

Why can't Babcock see that this pair is a HUGE liability right now?

Jesus.

Babcock is a bad coach. I don't blame Rafalski for taking the ice when his number is called. I blame the coach for not making changes that HELP the team.

you should coach the team

[brettq 7]

dude i love your user name

Seconded.

[Guest Crymson]

He and Ericsson just gave up the 3rd goal.

I believe you're thinking of Helm, not Rafalski and Ericsson.

[Datsyerberger 279]

I'm fine with Rafalski. He does what he was paid for and does it well: be a complementary top line offensive d-man.

The problem is when you expose him by pairing him with Eri--uh... other defensively lackluster, soft players.

[evilmrt 636]

Ah yeah we're stuck with him...Rafs hasn't been as great as we had hoped.

By the way, OP...nice "Fire Holland and Babcock" thread that got deleted after 30 seconds, man.

[VM1138 1,921]

He and Ericsson just gave up the 3rd goal.

Why can't Babcock see that this pair is a HUGE liability right now?

Jesus.

Babcock is a bad coach. I don't blame Rafalski for taking the ice when his number is called. I blame the coach for not making changes that HELP the team.

There are three defensive pairings. You have Rafalski (who sucks according to lots of people here), Ericsson (who everyone thinks sucks) and Salei (again, who many think sucks). Even the greatest coach in the world can only do so much with such a lineup.

[azshark 1]

Bay Area reporter noted on Twitter today that Rafalski did not practice yesterday or today. When questioned, your coach lied and stated he did indeed practice on the rink this morning.

Rafalski is injured. Has to be...

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

Rafalski's always injured in the playoffs. And yes, his knee swelled up so he didnt practise.

[ben_usmc 253]

he sucks

[Liberation 11]

So hold on a second here...

Kronwall and Stuart give up the first 2. Helm Gives up the 3rd. Ericcson the 4th. So its all Rafalskis fault.

GMRWings, you hear that? You have a new friend in Special Ed.

[Theophany 110]

This just in:

Apparently a defenseman that gets 48 points in 63 games is terrible.

You guys realize that had he kept that pace and played in all 82 games, he would have had the same number of points as Lidstrom?

Lots of smart people around here.

[brett 1,029]

I really dont know why all of you give raffy s***. Hes a great defense men.

[puckbags 863]

Ah yeah we're stuck with him...Rafs hasn't been as great as we had hoped.

By the way, OP...nice "Fire Holland and Babcock" thread that got deleted after 30 seconds, man.

I still think there should be a 24 hour time frame where no threads can get started after a loss and maybe even longer after a playoff loss.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Rafalski struggles here and there with weird turnovers and he's not great at going into corners and winning battles there, but all in all you can't complain. It was always part of the tradeoff that he would be a bit past his expiration date by the time his contract was up in order to get him at a discount. He still contributes a lot offensively, plays plenty of minutes, and has a good stick.

[Carman 387]

Can't have the perfect team every year.

Rafalski has done more than enough to earn that deal, remember the circumstances of that deal, he was the premier puck moving defenseman that off season. If we don't sign Rafalski in 08 we would have been much worse off these last couple years.

[Nev 1,085]

Well he was a huge piece of the puzzle in 2008, and well not as good now i think he gets alot of unfair criticism. I think it was a good signing.

This. Thats the trade-off we made, cup in 2008 for a overpaid late 30s PP specialist now. At least his contract only has 1 more year to go.

[mmamolo 287]

Not to mention he replaced Schneider who left for Anaheim and got more money than the Wings would pay. When he is on his game he is still a very solid defenseman. He's not what he was when he first came to Detroit but at that time he was worth more than $6M.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

$6mil was a bit steep though. Nice offensive game, too bad he's pretty mediocre in his own end.

[mjlegend 155]

he sucks

Lazy, too.