Brian Rafalski

Here's an interesting tidbit about Rafalski from an espn interview with Tim Connolly:
Q: You're known for your great hands, but who is the most challenging defenseman to go one-on-one with?

A: [Long pause] You know, Brian Rafalski is pretty tough to beat. He's a good skater, really strong, with a low center of gravity, and he doesn't go for any of the moves. He ends up putting his stick between your legs and taking the body, so he's tough to beat, unless you can get a good gap on him.

I thought it was neat to see that he thought so highly of Brian.

Wow, that is strange. I like Raffy but I don't necessarily think he's up there.

Wow, that is strange. I like Raffy but I don't necessarily think he's up there.
I think he's up there

He's been playing over 25 minutes a night routinely since Lou took over behind the bench. He hasn't really been talked about much since we turned things around, but he is playing very well right now.....

He's been playing over 25 minutes a night routinely since Lou took over behind the bench. He hasn't really been talked about much since we turned things around, but he is playing very well right now.....
He is playing well, although that giveaway on the PP in the second period which led to a breakaway and nearly an amazing goal nearly killed me. I was sitting in that corner and all I saw was the puck in the air going towards the empty net and then everyone stood up and blocked my view. I was shocked when it didn't go in, I didn't stand up because I resigned myself to the fact that it was going in.

I definitely think he's up there.

His play is so smart and he carries ALL the top players on opposing team off to the boards when he's out there. It's SOOOOOOO overlooked. By the fans. By the media. I'm glad it's not by the players, because it shouldn't be.

haha i am sorry i had not seen this thread, i feel dumb now.

Back to what Connolly said for a moment -

I have noticed this for years. I think it was in 2002 or 2003, I was watching the Devils play the Rangers, and Eric Lindros went into the zone all alone against Rafalski.

Rafalski didn't do any fancy skating, in fact, he didn't even do crossovers, he just did rapid C-cuts to match Lindros' speed. Lindros carried the puck to about the faceoff dot, Rafalski left him no opening, so he tried a little dipsy doodle which Brian completely ignored, simply taking the body (it wasn't a hit at all, Rafalski just slowed down and absorbed Lindros' momentum.) In the proccess the puck was separated from Lindros' stick and the attack was over.

After I watched that play, Rafalski became one of my favorite players. He's very small for a defenseman, but he doesn't compensate for his size by skating a million miles per hour and being tough as nails like Gionta (though he is both fast and tough). He just plays an extremely smart game and has outstanding technique. I think he'll make a tremendous hockey coach some day.