Brian Rafalski announces retirement after 11 NHL seasons

[X13WINGS13X 25]

we could actually get Erik Johnson and Weber realistically if we lose Salei, Draper, Osgood and/or Modano

Lidstrom - Weber

Kronwall - Johnson

Stuart - Ericsson/Kindl

[South Dakota wings fan 7]

He must really be hurting to give up one last year at $6 million.

This gives the team many more options. This may make a trade more of a possibility. Hudler or Val might be heading elsewhere. I'm ok with a couple D-men in the payroll range of Stuart and Kronner coming in. This may open the door to an extension for Kronwall this summer. I realize Rafi came off after next year no matter what, but they may feel a need to lock him up.

Not sure if Lidstrom is going to be down with a pay cut, but you never know.

I still don't see them spending much money on any forwards though.

[RedWingsRox 614]

What about Tomas Kaberle .... ... just kidding.

[Cali-Wing-Nut 102]

Torres > skill than Perros + is more of a checker than a fighter.

Well saying he has more skills than Perros is not that hard. We may see things different but Torres likes to check guys when they arent looking.

Me = Headhunter hater

Nothing worse than a penalty magnet and Torres is definitely that. Hes a helluva hitter but hes not the banger Id be looking for.

I dunno about prospects but anyone know of any Kron style hitters up for grabs??

[WorkingOvertime 536]

we could actually get Erik Johnson and Weber realistically if we lose Salei, Draper, Osgood and/or Modano

Lidstrom - Weber

Kronwall - Johnson

Stuart - Ericsson/Kindl

I don't know about you, but I like having draft picks. Also, it is not realistic to think the Wings get could one of them, let alone both.

Just because the Wings can afford a player, does not mean they can get him.

[Guest stinky fish taco]

we could actually get Erik Johnson and Weber realistically if we lose Salei, Draper, Osgood and/or Modano

Lidstrom - Weber

Kronwall - Johnson

Stuart - Ericsson/Kindl

what in god's name are you smoking

[PredsFanTheBayouState 263]

SHEA WEBER WANTS TO REMAIN A NASHVILLE PREDATORS.

[WorkingOvertime 536]

SHEA WEBER WANTS TO REMAIN A NASHVILLE PREDATORS.

But every player wants to play in Detroit and take a hometown discount

[esteef 2,679]

I heard Anaheim has a pretty keen d-man named Lilja!

esteef

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Only way I'd support him retiring is if the Wings could get Weber or Doughty as a replacement. I'm iffy about every other free agent defensemen available this summer.

[Guest Crymson]

SHEA WEBER WANTS TO REMAIN A NASHVILLE PREDATORS.

MAYBE HE WANTS TO BE A DETROIT RED WINGS.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

SHEA WEBER WANTS TO REMAIN A NASHVILLE PREDATORS.

He's more than one?

[Guest Crymson]

If Lidstrom comes back the RFA we should go after as much as i like Weber , is Doughty much better skater then Weber and better offensivly

(6'4 234 LBS)

Weber 16G 32A +7

( 6'1 219LBS)

Doughty 11G 29A +13

Both would be AMAZING but to me i like Doughty just a little more only because i think Doughty has better offensive vision, which with Raffy and possibly Lids retiring we will need

Doughty went downhill after his concussion. Significant concussion = bad. Also, L.A. has enough money to spend up to the cap. Nashville does not.

I wish this happened last season.

Then we could have pursued Lebron.

"I've decided to take my talents to Detroit" doesn't really have the same ring to it.

[PredsFanTheBayouState 263]

MAYBE HE WANTS TO BE A DETROIT RED WINGS.

if he wanted to play for the red wings,than he would have kept his mouth closed and would not have guarantied that he would return to nashville

Edited May 24, 2011 by PredsFanTheBayouState

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Torres > skill than Perros + is more of a checker than a fighter.

Who cares how much skill Torres has if he doesn't use it? He doesn't even care about the puck. Torres will skate right by a puck if he can get a charge in on a vulnerable opponent.

[hillbillywingsfan 792]

Doughty went downhill after his concussion. Significant concussion = bad. Also, L.A. has enough money to spend up to the cap. Nashville does not.

I agree with this. And the thing is, Nashville in the past seems to let go of their stars easier than most teams if the cost goes up for said player too much. I think L.A would probably try and throw whatever they had at Doughty. Webby i see him more of a chance but really i feel we wont get either. This is going to be a scary off season me thinks. Please lids one more year!!!

[Drake_Marcus 890]

SHEA WEBER WANTS TO REMAIN A NASHVILLE PREDATORS.

According to recent interviews that's true. He's never expressed a desire to leave and from what I've read he was confident a deal could be worked out to keep him in Nashville.

But that doesn't mean he's closed every other door.

[PredsFanTheBayouState 263]

He's more than one?

yes,you did not hear that nashville has clones of shea weber.

[Guest Crymson]

According to recent interviews that's true. He's never expressed a desire to leave and from what I've read he was confident a deal could be worked out to keep him in Nashville.

But that doesn't mean he's closed every other door.

I think that our speculation about Weber is the sort of thing that members of other forums point and laugh at.

Edited May 24, 2011 by Crymson

[Majsheppard 203]

I also might consider giving up a few picks for Yandle. I doubt Phoenix would match an offer sheet.

[Red Wings Addict 787]

"I've decided to take my talents to Detroit" doesn't really have the same ring to it.

"I'm going to take my talents to the Motor City." Hmm, nah.

"I'm going to take my talents to Motown." Hmm, that's more for a musician than an athlete.

"I'm going to take my talents to Hockeytown." Better.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I think that our speculation about Weber is the sort of thing that members of other forums point and laugh at.

Probably. But I'm betting there are 30 teams with fans who'd love to find a way to fit Weber onto their team.

[clutchngrab 12]

Only way I'd support him retiring is if the Wings could get Weber or Doughty as a replacement. I'm iffy about every other free agent defensemen available this summer.

I realize most of you are in the eastern time zone and don't get to watch Vancouver that much, but their team is the real deal and it's partly due to having a very good and tough puck-moving defense headed by Bieska. He skates, hits and shoots very well. The best potential d-man out there, though he may cost more than 4 mil to move.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Probably. But I'm betting there are 30 teams with fans who'd love to find a way to fit Weber onto their team.

Not to mention that Detroit is a destination that prominent free agents have been known to favor in the past.

[VM1138 1,921]

This completely surprised me. I never expected this. I'm disappointed to see Rafalski go, he was a great defenseman and was just what this team needed for '08 and '09, and was sorely missed during his injury stints. But on the other hand, the money this frees up, we could replace Lidstrom before he even retires, and then replace Rafalski less year. Could be potentially awesome.

But no, we won't get Weber, let's move on from that.

So much for Holland's "not doing much" this off-season.