panoo

Posted by George James Malik
July 04, 2007 07:35AM

Over the first three days of unrestricted free agency, the Red Wings lost Mathieu Schneider and Todd Bertuzzi to the Ducks, watched Robert Lang and Kyle Calder sign with the Blackhawks and Kings, respectively, and signed Brian Rafalski.

So far, the reviews on Ken Holland's performance are mixed. Jim Matheson of the Edmonton journal says that the Red Wings are neither free agent winners nor free agent losers--they're "on the fence":

July 3, Edmonton Journal: Detroit Red Wings: They lost defenceman Mathieu Schneider, another guy who seems to have defied the clock a 37, but picked up Brian Rafalski, who's three years younger, to be their No. 2 defenceman behind Nicklas Lidstrom.

The CBC's Elliotte Friedman agrees that the Red Wings qualify as a "not sure yet" team:

July 3, CBC Sports: Ken Holland gave Brian Rafalski the money he wouldn't give Mathieu Schneider. Statistically, it makes sense, as Rafalski is four years younger and played two more minutes a game. (The point totals are about equal.) I've always been a Schneider fan, though, and I'm curious to see if Rafalski can replace his impact. Schneider had a superb season.

Also, can't help but wonder if it's a concern that Dominik Hasek is not signed yet.

NHL.com's Larry Wigge thinks that the Red Wings pulled a coup:

July 3, NHL.com: Staying in the Central Division, the Detroit Red Wings, who had been trying to re-sign defenseman Mathieu Schneider, surprisingly went in a different direction when they signed former New Jersey blueliner Brian Rafalski to a five-year, $30 million deal.

The Wings wanted Schneider for his great power-play work. Instead, they got a more versatile, reliable defender who may actually be more dangerous on the power play in Rafalski.

Versus' analysts Bill Clement and Brian Englbom weighed in on the situation as well. Clement echoed the general consensus about Rafalski:

July 4, Detroit News: "There have been pronounced winners and losers this first week of the free agency," said Bill Clement, the NBC and Versus NHL analyst. "The Red Wings are right in the middle." ... "I really love Brian Rafalski," Clement said. "The guy is five years younger than Mathieu Schneider, who is a great, great player also, but Brian Rafalski is just a younger version."

Clement's splint on Todd Bertuzzi's defection to Anaheim as well:

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