Reports started circulating today that veteran Wings defenseman Brian Rafalski will retire and an announcement will be made Wednesday. Sportsnet.ca was one of the first news outlets to report on Rafalski’s retirement while TSN.ca said they have sources that could confirm rumors.
However, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press says that Brian Rafalski is indeed mulling retirement but hasn’t yet informed the team of any decision. This includes Red Wings general manager Ken Holland.
“I know there are tons of rumors out there,” Holland told the Free Press. “I do know he’s doing a lot of thinking. I did meet with him at the end of the year. I’ve had conversations with him. For lack of better words, I do know he’s doing a lot of thinking about next year. He’s got to make some decisions. I haven’t talked to him in a week. He hasn’t told me he’s retiring.”
According to James, Rafalski, 37 has been battling back and knee problems for the past few years. During this past season he was held out a total of 19 games because of back problems. Despite the time he missed he was still productive compiling 48 points in 63 games.
Rafalski does have one year remaining on his contract and if he were to retire the Wings would be off the hook for about $6 million dollars which could go a long way in the free agent market. The Wings are also awaiting a decision from veteran defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom on his playing future who many believe will return for one more season with the team.
Source: TSN.ca, Sportsnet.ca, Detroit Free Press
