While Schneider heads back to the Left Coast, Rafalski heads back to the Midwest
Rafalski’s Game bears a lot similarities to Schneider’s
It became apparent late last week that Mathieu Schneider was going to test the free agent waters to gauge the level of interest in acquiring his services. He found a quick taker in Anaheim as the Ducks signed him for two years for a total of $11.25 million. This is a good move for Schneider as he probably earned close to an extra $500,000 per year and will go to last year’s Stanley Cup winner. It also casts some doubt on whether Scott Niedermayer will return next season. He has been contemplating retirement.
With the news of Schneider’s signing the Red Wings quickly inked Brian Rafalski to a contract. Rafalski will return to Michigan after signing a 5 year contract for $30 million. The team is still waiting to re-sign Dominik Hasek. Fortunately the team moved quickly to address their need for a top 3 defenseman who can quarterback the power play.
As a fan I’m a little leary about the team paying that much money to another player. Both Nick Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk will be paid over $6 million per year. But both players are amongst the best talents in the game at their given position, and I do believe Rafalski has a chance to be one of the leading point producers amongst rearguards in the NHL. He finished 12th last season and could crack the top 10 in Detroit. So if that happens it is money well spent.
Rafalski is five years younger than Schneider and has tallied 40 or more points in five seasons. He played in all 82 games for the last two seasons and has been a plus player in all but one season when he was even in plus/minus. He is also a two-time Stanley Cup winner, having played on the 1999-2000 and 2001-02 Devils teams that won the championship.
With the signing the Red Wings now will focus on signing Dominik Hasek, a defensive defenseman and a top 6 forward.
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