Guest DeGraa55 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 He will be our trade deadline addition. Hey let's add lid chili and howe while we are at! FFS! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hey man nice shot! 144 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 I don't won't to read to much into this...gl with it raf. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
luvmnger 125 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 i loved raffi while he was with us....but lets wait and see what happens. odds are he wont even knock on the wings door. but, you never know. kudos to you raffi! love the game till the end. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
e_prime 1,936 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 Who loves old vets more... Holland or LGW? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amato 3,210 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 Are the Everblades a Lightning affiliate? If so that means Yzerman and co get first dibs..... Yes, according to PHT they are an affiliate to both the lightning and the canes. (Source:http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/09/three-time-cup-winner-rafalski-signs-with-echl-florida/ ) 1 St. Michael (the Red Wing) reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fixxxer 11 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 According to Khan "If he plays well in the ECHL and wants to take the next step to the AHL, the Red Wings would at least talk to him." At this point I'd like to petition for Holland to get a lobotomy because he obviously doesn't use his brain properly. No offense to Rafy but please please don't come back to Det. Holland is insane enough to sign him I can see it now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilmrt 636 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 Timing is everything. He hasn't played in 2 1/2 years, and this is mid-season. Has he been skating all this time? What kind of shape is he in? If Rafalski had done this at the beginning of the season, he might already be on the team by now. And Quincey would be gone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Manny>Ozzie(by a long shot) 55 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 I thought he retired to be with God and his family...apparently hockey comes first after all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esteef 2,679 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 I thought he retired to be with God and his family...apparently hockey comes first after all. God already had a full roster. esteef Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 Will he be ready for Sochi 2014? 1 evilmrt reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilmrt 636 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 Will he be ready for Sochi 2014? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilzyme 769 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 I thought he retired to be with God and his family...apparently hockey comes first after all. Roose (I believe it was) sent out a tweet earlier after he talked with Rafi. He said he had made up his mind, or it was in his mind within the last month, before the alumni game. He also stated that god had sent him down this road, and he was just following his will. So he's still in the religious mindframe, he just believes God wants him to play hockey again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 Aaron Ward @aaronward_nhl 7m Rafalski to ECHL (resides in FL) to gauge what he has left.Good conditioning/no injuries post #AlumniGame.Told there is NHL interest. #TSN Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smite 399 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 I wish him all the luck, however don't forget he played with Lids during his tenure here. The same perfect human that made Ian White look like an all-star. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave 324 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 I wish him all the luck, however don't forget he played with Lids during his tenure here. The same perfect human that made Ian White look like an all-star. Moreover, I believe I remember him playing quite poorly his last year in Detroit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilzyme 769 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 Did anyone else catch the interview with Holland concerning the Rafi situation? All he kept saying is obviously he has no idea where Rafi is going with it, but they wanted to support him in wanting to play hockey close to home (the arena they said is nearly 5 minutes away from his house). Holland stated that if there was a player to beable to come back at the age of 41 and have a good come-back it would be a puck-moving defensemen such as Rafi. At the same time, he said there's 20-30 year olds out there pushing the pace and he didn't really know. It seemed like Holland wasn't interested in bringing him back to Detroit due to our given situation and deep pipeline, but he wanted to make it happen for Rafi and give him the chance to make it somewhere again. 1 55fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roboturner 562 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 (edited) I took this not as a "comeback" comeback, but as him just wanting to play some organized hockey after getting "the itch" during the alumni game. Skating around is fun and all, but it doesn't compare to an organized game. Now he has that in the local ECHL team where he lives. If that leads him to the AHL or possibly NHL interest, then more power to him. But I wouldn't be surprised if he finds himself content with the local ECHL team. Edit: Rafalski said: “I’m not leaving (Florida). I have too many commitments here right now. There are those things that would have to be address. My family is established here with my two boys in school. They’re not going anywhere.” Edited January 10, 2014 by roboturner Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 If he wants to be close to home, he's not going to return to thre NHL. Love the guy, but I don't think he'd seriously be competitive in this league anymore. Unless he's been preparing for this since he retired. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amato 3,210 Report post Posted January 28, 2014 That was short lived (at least for the time being) "@TSNBobMcKenzie: Florida Everblades (ECHL) have released Brian Rafalski, who hadn't played since Jan. 18 because of sore back. Team needed roster spot." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Euro_Twins 4,476 Report post Posted January 28, 2014 That was short lived (at least for the time being) "@TSNBobMcKenzie: Florida Everblades (ECHL) have released Brian Rafalski, who hadn't played since Jan. 18 because of sore back. Team needed roster spot." Guess he won't be in the nhl again after all, go figure Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilmrt 636 Report post Posted January 28, 2014 Poor Rafi. No idea why he did this when he wasn't in shape. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BottleOfSmoke 5,965 Report post Posted January 29, 2014 It's hard when the body gives out before the heart. At least he'll never wonder if he could've done it, he gave it a try and found out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedWingsRox 614 Report post Posted January 29, 2014 (edited) Was it the alumni game that gave him the itch? shortest 'come out of retirement' ever ... Edited January 29, 2014 by RedWingsRox Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hey man nice shot! 144 Report post Posted January 29, 2014 unfortunate really, i was hoping to hear a story somewhere he was happy playing retired down in florida and was enjoying the beer and sun. GL raffi and stay healthy. 1 Smite reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites