OT - Report: Brian Rafalski Set to Retire Wednesday
Reports going around the news that Red Wings D-Man Brian Rafalski will retire on Wednesday...
http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2011/05/report_red_wings_brian_…
Probably because of the knee and back problems that have really hurt him the past few years. I did not see this coming, but this will probably be a better situation than a not healthy Rafalski for the future. The ultimate positive spin to this: That is $6 million more for Ken Holland to play with/make some magic happen.
I'm ok with this as long as Lidstrom comes back for another season. We have a young d man coming up from grand rapids that will need a good mentor
I hope you are not referring to kindle...
Brendan Smith is his name. He was going to be playing part time in Detroit anyway next year. This might have earned him a full time job.
Yea that's who I was talking about. Couldn't remember his name and too lazy to search for him on the iPhone. We should be alright if Lidstrom comes back. But we do need to sign someone on d
Shea Webber anybody?
he is a restricted free agent...Nashville can match any offer the Wings make which means it would take a crazy, cap destroying offer to get him...it will not happen without a trade, and Nashville is not that stupid to trade away their franchise player
At least bid as much as you think you can pay for him. Force Nashville to match. Make sure they don't get away without paying more than they need to.
It'll cost too many first round picks if they do nab him. And in today's NHL the more prospects the better cause you can't just go out and sign anyone now.
the wings typically don't go after RFA's.
furthermore, expect them to make a play at bieksa, ehrhoff, or wisniewski, along with a 3rd line forward with their 6 mil (which could be as much as 9 mil with the projected salary cap increase).
I would support Wisniewski or Bieksa...
I've always liked this guy. He's a solid player with a nasty streak who hasn't really had the opportunity to stick somewhere. Could end up being a Dan Cleary or Brad Stuart type pick-up. He's a talented player who just needs to find his place.
Shea Webber would be great but I think Nashville will do whatever it takes to keep him happy.
I'm sure Ken Holland we try and get him if possible , He would look great wearing the winged wheel !
Since I can't recall Holland ever going after a RFA, I doubt he makes a play for Weber. Plus, Holland would have to make a ridiculous offer in order to land him, as Nashville isn't going to let him go... especially within the division. Maybe make a high (but not ridiculous) offer just to make Nashville overpay for him?
Just curious, do they offer specific sport-agenting classes in law school or are you put out into the cold and learn all of it on the job?
I guess it can't be all that different than regular executive compensation work and contract negotiation, so do you just load up on that? I've always wondered what it took to be an agent beyond having some sweet connections.
I think there are specific courses you can take in undergrad (sports management?) but at my law school there's nothing specifically for being a sports agent, at least that I'm aware of. I just finished my first year so I could be wrong. Basically you just transfer your knowledge about contracts, negotiating, etc...
Like I mentioned in my diary thread, right now I have a partnership with a very well-established agent. He walks me through everything and I work for him in the summer so that's where I get most of my knowledge, from watching him. We split the commision on my clients 50/50. Once I graduate, any new contracts will be solely mine (assuming the players stay with me).
It's nearly impossible to become an agent without knowing the right people. I don't even know where you would start.
I just looked into it a bit and apparently there is a program that specializes in sports law. But it isn't classes, it involves summer placement at an agency to learn about the business. There are classes about the entertainment industry though, so that could help, but I guess that would apply to music and movies more.
I think you and I both hit on it before where it's more on the contract and negotiation side, probably also needing a halfway functional personality and some connections.
Good luck, I know it's hard to break into the agenting world (at least in other sectors of entertainment) but it sounds like you have a great head start.
My school has a couple sports specific law classes and colleges like Tulane and Marquette have actual Sports Law programs. Even though they specialize in them though, its pretty much understood that the best (kind of only) way to get into the job is to either have connections going in or develop connections during/after which usually happens by attending the best law school you can get into.
your last point, is it possible his retirement is also a way to go out on his own? I think if he did not retire, the orginization may have "asked" him to retire later this year if this is not the product of that already. This could be a save of face? Just speculation.
But I will miss Rafalski :(
Rafalski had a pretty nice career, it just sucks that he has to retire because of injuries. I did not expect this, but you could tell Rafalski had been playing hurt the past two seasons. Lidstrom's decision has become even more important for the Wings this offseason. At least this does free up quite a bit cap space.
Even though he left because Lamoriello is never willing to pay superstar prices except if your name is Kovalchuk, I still respect Rafalski for all he did for the Devils and missed him dearly every time I saw him score a goal for the Wings.
Good luck to him in retirement!
Cool. I'll look forward to watching him. As for Rafalski I'll always remember him as part of a good crop of rookies(Rafalski, John Madden, Colin White, Scott Gomez) who helped us win the Cup in 2000.
Imagining Madden as a rookie is really funny to me for some reason. He always seemed like he was about 65 off the ice (sometimes, unfortunately, on the ice as well).
Rafalski helped us win a cup and that is all you can ask from a free agent signing. His salary has exceeded his production the last couple of years, but perhaps it has been these lingering injuries that have contributed to his subpar play and early retirement.
A few names:
Kevin Bieksa
Christian Erhoff
Sami Salo (yes 3 Canucks)
James Wisniewski
Nicklas Wallin
Ian White
all UFAs. I would prefer Bieksa. He's been fantastic during these playoffs for the Nucks, and he would do very well with the Wings.
I'd much rather trade Hudler for a pick and throw a $8.5 million/year offer sheet at Shea Weber. He'd look great in the Winged Wheel.
An $8.5 million dollar offer sheet would cost the Red Wings four first round draft picks. Weber is amazing, but that deal would be a fiscal and draft killer. I highly doubt Holland would even consider it.
I would be VERY surprised if Weber was not in a Predator's uniform next year.
Why Wednesday? Is he coming in to work tomorrow?
Now that we all respect your insight into the NHL. Which of these sounds most likely?
1. Wings trade for Zach Bogosian
2. WIngs offer Kevin Bieksa
3. Wings try to land Drew Doughty from the Kings.
I only bring up these three because I believe a right handed defenseman is the number one need for the red wings.
I know the wings are high on some guys in their system, but any names "off the radar" types that might keep a look for?
I really like Cory Emmerton. He's a good playmaker. He will make it at some point and could develop into a solid second line center IMO.
I hear good things about Tomas Tatar but I haven't seen him play.
about Jan Mursak also. Rumors have Mursak and Branden Smith getting plenty of looks in Detroit this next season.
And of the possible Rafalski replacements, I'll take Bieksa.
Can you explain how this scouting ranking doesn't include Ilari Filppula who lead the Griffins this year in points? I know he is a little older and was one of those "late bloomers" but to not even be included in this list of 25+ prospects seems odd to me.
I believe he's 28 and isn't considered a prospect. He's also said he's going back to finland where he can make more money. He's not a good enough skater to make it in the NHL.
Just found this article after you said he was going back. I had not heard that he was going back to Finland but apparently he has already left.
http://www.redwingsrising.com/20110522-ilari-filppula-leaves-red-wings-…
rwc is a great site. The owner also does capgeek.com.
I have a look at them both at least every couple weeks during the season. Tons of great info on both.
The post-season prospect list should be coming out on rwc this week or next, I hope.
Fun fact, according to his wikipedia page Kevin Bieksa is a professional diver for the Vancouver Dive Canucks. Angry San Jose fan?
if it's a San Jose fan
The penalties called against the Wings in their series against SJ were laughable, at least if they were not in the playoffs they would have been laughable.
Numerous penalties could have been called, but embellishment should have been added. The Wings are one of the few teams I don't see diving a whole lot. SJ players were all over the ice when a Wing got near one of them.
With Kindl and Brendan Smith in our system, I would prefer that we go after a defenseman that is more physical, like Bieksa (who while having some penalties also shows some offensive upside and drops the gloves on occasion). As mentioned before, Weber is a Restricted FA. The only way to get him is if he would sign a one year offer with Nashiville in order to hit the open market as an UFA in 2012. I doubt that will happen.
Brian Rafalski, it was a pleasure to have watched you play in Detroit.