Stoney's Blog: Brian Rafalski Set To Retire
Brian Rafalski will retire one year before his contract is up, this according to tweets by former NHLer and current reporter for RogersSportsnet Nick Kypreos.
Here are the tweets from Kypreos.
In a surprise if not shocking move sources tell Sportsnet the Red Wings will announce retirement of D Brian Rafalski as early as this week. What's more surprising Rafalski walks away from 6M he was scheduled to earn next year. With the news look for Lidstrom to return. Injuries the main reason Rafalski shuts down a great career. He played throughout the play-offs without an ACL in his knee.
With all due respect to Rafalski, this is very good news for the Wings. First of all it gives them six million more to offer unrestricted free agents such as Christian Ehrhoff, Kevin Bieksa, and Brooks Laich, plus it gives them a chance to make an offer to a restricted free agent as in Shea Weber.(Although I doubt they will go the restricted route) Plus there are other moves like trades that Ken Holland may be able to move without being restricted by the salary cap.
Rafalski was a good addition for the Red Wings. He was a very important member of the team that won the Stanley Cup in 2008 and went back to the finals the next season. He was obviously slowed down by age and injury the last couple of years, so his departure should not hurt the Wings that much.
