Sopel and another veteran d-man coming to camp

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

Link

Sill speculative cause it's from a blog. Otherwise I don't see any harm in this move.

[theman19 47]

intresting,..i don't see what role sopel replaces though. Rafalski is schneiders replacement. it'd be a very very very tough sell to say that sopel is Markov's replacement.

[Opie 308]

I think I would rather see the young guys develop than see Sopel here, unless he signed a two way, but I don't think he can, right he is too old?

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

Who could the "other" veteran defenceman be. Whos left?

I think I would rather see the young guys develop than see Sopel here, unless he signed a two way, but I don't think he can, right he is too old?

My impression was anyone could sign a two way. His age would affect his waiver status. So if he were to ever called up or down he would be subject to waivers.

Edited September 7, 2007 by Son of a Wing

[lfd250 1]

Paul Coffee is comeing back to make Cheli feel better.

[rick zombo 3,739]

You guys who say Sopel will sign a two way deal are crazy.

He's 30 years old. And he's still debateably a top four D-man. But for sure he's a top 6 guy. Better than Lebda, that's for sure.

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

You guys who say Sopel will sign a two way deal are crazy.

He's 30 years old. And he's still debateably a top four D-man. But for sure he's a top 6 guy. Better than Lebda, that's for sure.

I'm not agreeing with him just explaining what I thought the rules were.

[Packer487 3]

Sopel wouldn't be a bad pickup at all. He played 20+ per night for the Kings and still managed to be a plus, which is no small feat on that team (most of their D were -10 or more).

28 points in 64 games isn't too shabby either. Kronwall only had 22 in 68 games, roughly the same ice time, a worse +/- on a better team, and we're paying him $3 million a year.

I actually really like this addition. We're not big on veteran depth for when Kronwall inevitably gets injured. And apparently he's got a good shot from the point, which we lost in the Schneider/Rafalski exchange.

If nothing else, he fetched a 2nd and a 4th at the trade deadline last year. I'm kind of surprised he hasn't hooked on somewhere. You'd think a crap team would be looking to bring him in if for nothing else than to get something for him at the deadline....

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

I hope the other guy they invited is Vaananen. I thought he was coming into his own in Colorado? What happened?

[Cicada 4]

we really don't need defense...

we've got probably the deepest defense in the league, considering the strength of our prospects..

1yr deal max...

if we sign another D-man, we'll lose Meech to waivers

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

if we sign another D-man, we'll lose Meech to waivers

How do you figure that? 23 man roster would include meech and an additional dman.

[Packer487 3]

we really don't need defense...

we've got probably the deepest defense in the league, considering the strength of our prospects..

1yr deal max...

if we sign another D-man, we'll lose Meech to waivers

Maybe he's the guy that can finally push Lilja into the ranks of "healthy scratch". For most of this decade he's been a solid 25-40 point guy.

And if nothing else, he fetched a nice bounty at the trade deadline last year. If our defense is solid all year (meaning Kronwall stays healthy and becomes close to the defenseman he's supposed to be) maybe we can swap him to recoup some of what we'll give up in a deal for the top-six forward that we still badly need.

[TimeBinder 28]

D-men are like pitchers - you can never have too much. Besides Kenny is just lining up Kronwall's replacement anyway.

[rick zombo 3,739]

And who gives a crap if we lose Meech?

Sopel is better.

[Curban915 0]

Sopel would not be bad he has to be better then Markov and cost alot less. I would not mind see this I like Lija for some reason but would rather see Sopel play. I think he is a player that could do great things on the wings. Good call by Kenny.

[OsGOD 3]

They should be inviting goaltenders not defensemen... come on kenny solidify our g'tending ... While I understand and am thankful for giving us berkhoel, I am also not satisfied with your not making a goaltending changeup... you do understand this very uncharacteristic of you... dare I say you are slipping in your elder age?

[Guest jaytan]

I'd take Sopel. Not bad.

[Hank 0]

No harm at all. And I always thought Sopel would fit in nicely. Right handed shot, good on the PP. He's not bad for a 6th dman and PP specialist.

[Guest DetroitIan]

Wow, this is great news! Personally, Im crossing my fingers for Sopel. Come on Kenny! Sign this guy!

[Opie 308]

So lets say he grabs Sopel or another vet D for 1-1.5mil for one year, that leaves the wings with 3.5-4mil before the cap.

Does that make the wings the best D in the league. I think he is better than what the team has now, but I would love to see some of the young guys get a shot. That is my only area of contention with this.

That is a lot of money for a rent-a-player at the deadline.

[Curban915 0]

I think with Sopel things would look even better for them in the D-Dept. Now not saying Sopel is that great and all but some player who are not the big name top 4 on a teams D play even better i dont think he would hurt us only help us.

[OsGOD 3]

So lets say he grabs Sopel or another vet D for 1-1.5mil for one year, that leaves the wings with 3.5-4mil before the cap.

Does that make the wings the best D in the league. I think he is better than what the team has now, but I would love to see some of the young guys get a shot. That is my only area of contention with this.

That is a lot of money for a rent-a-player at the deadline.

And that money righfully belongs in the pockets of Feds... YAY! he is coming back.

yeah so what if Lil' Ja gets booty we are allowed to allow better players to come along and get him off the ice... its no crime.

Edited September 7, 2007 by OsGOD

[Hank 0]

And that money righfully belongs in the pockets of Feds... YAY! he is coming back.

yeah so what if Lil' Ja gets booty we are allowed to allow better players to come along and get him off the ice... its no crime.

But what if Leijla cries like he did last year. Whatever will we do?

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

There's a reason that Sopel has been shopped around the last few years, and it's because he isn't very good and doesn't know how to use his size on the ice. But since this is only for training camp, I see no harm in giving him a shot.

[ShanahanMan 473]

i would not be surprised if we signed him