Brian Rafalski announces retirement after 11 NHL seasons

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I really hope Lidstrom comes back for around 5mil or so now. Shocking announcement, thanks for everything Brian And thank god we signed him under 35yrs so we get that cap relief.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

Raf just did one for the organization I bet. I can see it just being a tough decision to make on his part, obviously but this helps the cap space immensely and we can make a damn splash now. Just still kind of unreal to think this currently. Starts to hold more water though if you look back at his body of work of late and skating, etc.

[LeftWinger 4,951]

Holy s***! Now what?

Mathieu Schneider....

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

i read his twitter feed. i want to know his sources.

He's pretty reliable bout thinks like this. It's not like Eklund said it.

[InKennyWeTrust 126]

okay this is from one sportsnet canada reporter. and he wont reveal his sources. im highly skeptical of this. wouldnt we be hearing about it here, before some beat writer in canada? i mean raffy is AMERICAN after all....

Kevin Allen at USA Today is also reporting it.

[wingsownnhl43 14]

Yeah, I know you weren't, and read mine above. Regardless, Nick can take an even higher discount now with Raf's contract not there to compare, yes? I know that isn't a feasible idea but sounds quite appealing doesn't it?

I hear ya. Maybe Nick would take less than $6 million now? Either way, if Nick does indeed come back, and Rafalski does indeed retire, this is a positive for the Red Wings.

[e_prime 1,936]

Mathieu Schneider....

I see what you did there.

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

Kevin Allen at USA Today is also reporting it.

He also tagged Weds as the day to watch for it too.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

Sad and good day for the Wings as we are taking a step in a different direction.... Just a weird feeling right now.

[pucktividi 472]

So long Raffi...you will be missed

On a brighter side,the Wings have enough cap space now to send a nice offer to Weber

[Guest Shoreline]

Wow this is shocking indeed if true.

[Crashnburnluder 385]

Wow... really shocking so does this basically guarantee that we take hefty shots at Ehrhoff and or Bieksa..

or do we go after just one bring in another Salei type player to go alongside kindl and bring in a Richards type caliber player up front, could be big news for a guy like Smith too... potentially earning a spot on the top 4 come TC...

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

We now have alot of cap space on ours hands.. trade Hudler for a bag of pucks, get a big bottle of whiskey and come on July 1st

Also, anyone think this increases Smiths chances of playing next season?

[BigWillieStyle 662]

Woo Hoo! $6 million bucks to spend on a replacement. Or maybe with an extra couple million, 2 D-men of the #2-#4 variety. I kind of see our future defense as a solid group of #2 -#4 guys all capable of logging 20 minutes per night, and all somewhat equal pairings.

Or maybe this gives Kenny the ability to throw an offer sheet at Weber, and play Nashville's hand. I know it's a slim chance, but they have Suter and Rinne to sign next year. Might be a situation like San Jose did with Hjalmersson. They needed both a goalie, and a defensman, and made Chicago pick which one they wanted to keep.

Either way, if it's true, best wishes to you, Rafi. Thanks for helping us bring home another Cup. And thanks for giving LGW someone to throw under the bus.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

How do you spell Erhoff?

[HankthaTank 1,100]

big news for a guy like Smith too... potentially earning a spot on the top 4 come TC...

Ehh, let's not get crazy here man. All signs point to Smith not being quite ready for the NHL yet and a top 4? Maybe in 2-3 years or so. We have to make a move somewhere here.

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

We now have alot of cap space on ours hands.. trade Hudler for a bag of pucks, get a big bottle of whiskey and come on July 1st

Also, anyone think this increases Smiths chances of playing next season?

I doubt it, he will probably be called up a few times if needed, but I think they will want him getting 1st pair minutes in Grand Rapids

[kook_10 1,705]

I don't like this one bit.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

How do you spell Erhoff?

You actually spell it Ehrhoff but yeah, maybe he's a possibility.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

I don't like this one bit.

Agreed. 6 million in cap space is good and all, but the FA market is kind of dry and he's not going to be as easily replaced as some people think.

[e_prime 1,936]

I'll still be surprised if Holland goes after Weber.

Brewer, Kaberle, Pitkanen, Bieksa, or Wisniewski.

Have your pick... all affordable.

[edicius 3,269]

Wow. This is...unexpected. Must really be banged up to be retiring. This is shaping up to be an interesting offseason for us on the defensive front.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

Wow. This is...unexpected. Must really be banged up to be retiring. This is shaping up to be an interesting offseason for us on the defensive front.

As it had to be. Defensively this was one of the worst seasons in memory and still finished 3rd in the conference. Oh, what might have been. Regardless, this is a sign of moving forward and getting some fresher faces. Sad but a necessary move to make things happen.

[hockey23 79]

I'll still be surprised if Holland goes after Weber.

Brewer, Kaberle, Pitkanen, Bieksa, or Wisniewski.

Have your pick... all affordable.

I'm thinking Holland will have to go after a higher end player. Maybe someone like Andrei Markov or go crazy and try for Doughty.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

# Erhoff