I can support this thesis - I think Rafalski gave the Devils exactly what they lacked.
If anyone wants yet another reason to pile on me, I also really liked how Vladimir Malakhov looked with the Devils.
Rafalski was a big addition, aside from his offensive skill he was a much needed RHD back when Lyle Odelein was the only other one on the roster. In those days, LD/RD wasn't as strict but it was a common critique when the Devils had their post-1995 playoff disappointments. There were rumors back then that they tried to get Boris Mironov to fill that void. I don't think the Devils make it to the SCF three times in that span without Rafalski.
Rafalski was a more natural PPQB than Niedermayer. Nied's play was just more subtle. Rafalski would put up more points, Stevens would make more thunderous hits, but Niedermayer would lead the team in ice time but in an inconspicuous manner. Niedermayer's game was tough to appreciate if you were judging from the box scores or highlights.
Just to reiterate, Craig Button did a podcast a few years back and he was talking about the 2000 run when he was still with Dallas. He said the coaching staff (Ken Hitchcock was Niedermayer's junior coach coincidentally) was more concerned with how to forecheck Niedermayer's pairing than Stevens/Rafalski. Button said something to the effect of "we couldn't figure out an answer."
I'm curious to see how Jake Sanderson does as a pro since he was doing some Niedermayer-esque stuff in college in terms of using his skating to diffuse forechecks. Thomas Chabot will probably continue to pile up points on PP1 like Rafalski, but Sanderson may end up getting the more difficult even strength minutes.
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Malakhov was such a luxury for the 2000 run. Lou tried to get him back in 2004 with Stevens injured but the Rangers refused to deal him to the Devils. Malakhov ended up playing really well for the Flyers who knocked us out in the first round. Unfortunately that led to Lou signing Malakhov in 2005 when Niedermayer left. Malakhov's tools were tremendous: 6'4 who could skate, play physical, and had offensive skill. But he seemingly had an on/off switch.