Sopel signs with Chicago

[Guest DetroitIan]

Why? Because you recognize his name?

He was exceedingly mediocre in his time here.

First off, there is a reason that people recognize his name. He's a solid NHL defenseman. Hell, I've been watching the guy play for the past 5 years(mostly when we was with the LA Kings). He would have done nothing but add depth to our core. To even make a statement like "he was exceedingly mediocre in his time here" suggests that you know dick about hockey. Considering he's only been with us since training camp. Give the guy more than 3 frickin weeks before you say that. And had he stayed here and played all season, im sure he would have had somewhere between 8-10 goals, and about 30 assists. I'de take that in a heartbeat after losing Markov.

Quincey >>>>>> Sopel.

End of story.

Even though it'll end up being Meech due to not being able to be sent down..

I definitely agree with you there. Quincey proved so much during the playoffs last season. Quincey over Sopel in my book as well.

Edited September 29, 2007 by DetroitIan

[DSM 114]

Eh, I could take him or leave him. Obviously, you have to look at the positives, one being that we'll keep Meech, who I think has been great in the pre-season, and we save some cap space. Atleast now maybe 1 more forward will make the team.

[Rice 42]

First off, there is a reason that people recognize his name. He's a solid NHL defenseman. Hell, I've been watching the guy play for the past 5 years(mostly when we was with the LA Kings). He would have done nothing but add depth to our core. To even make a statement like "he was exceedingly mediocre in his time here" suggests that you know dick about hockey. Considering he's only been with us since training camp. Give the guy more than 3 frickin weeks before you say that. And had he stayed here and played all season, im sure he would have had somewhere between 8-10 goals, and about 30 assists. I'de take that in a heartbeat after losing Markov.

Oh, really? Because I could've sworn that going to camp on a try-out basis is all about proving to the coaches, i.e. trying out, that you're good enough to cut it right away -- not 3 weeks down the road.

Sopel isn't anything to whine about.

[Izzy24 44]

Greed took over? So if you were in his situation with no previous connection to the Wings at all, you'd automatically choose the Wings for less cash? That makes no sense. While I'd definitely say that the Wings are in better shape to have a prolonged run for the Cup, there are no guarantees that way. Going to Chicago he gets more money and, the way Chicago's defensive corps is, he'll get more playing time. I fail to see how greed even enters into it.

Playing for the Red Wings is such a privilege, anyone who doesn't want to play for free is an idiot.

[WhiteLightning91 105]

I honestly did not know yo could just sign with another team while you were trying out for one.

[SuperCalaFilppulastic! 34]

Thank God.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

This may bring Kindl back into the frame. I know he'll spend

most of the year in GR, but if its a 2nd line PP guy that the

Wings saw in Sopel, I'm afraid Meech isn't going to fill that

void. Kindl is the guy for that role in the future, so I see him

making some trips to the league this season. Meech may have

just earn't a roster spot by default but good luck to him. I hope

he does well and learns off the old dog Cheli as he'll surley be

his mentor.

[BringHomeTheCup! 0]

It can all end at the snap of a finger (or in this case, bone or ligament).....Most NHL players have zero education and not that many of them can get full-time jobs involved in hockey.

When you start to realize that your career could end soon, you take the most amount of cash that you can get so that your family can live a better life when there are no NHL teams paying you anymore.

Family comes first.

Many young hockey players spend recklessly when they first come into the league because they think they have 15 years of earning millions ahead of them. When they get a little older and wiser, they start to realize that it's important to take care of your finances because it's not always going to be there for you.

A guy like Sopel might get offered a couple extra hundred thousand to play for Chicago. It might not seem like much in the grand scheme of things compared to what other players are making, but when this might be his last shot in the NHL, that extra $200,000 or whatever sure can go a long way in a education fund or inheretence fund for his kids.

Before you play that card you must realize this. Any established NHL player is going to have a pension. And that pension is pretty sweet. I skate with a few ex-NHLers, no big names. These guys never made the big bucks. They are still sitting pretty. Any player who has played any length of time in the NHL is going to be set for the rest of his life. It's just a matter of managing your money after hockey. In the grand scheme of things, that extra $200k for a few years doesn't really make much of a difference.

But back to the topic.....

I was hoping Sopel would sign here. Mostly because I don't want to see Kronwall on the second PP unit, and the Wings are in need of an additional 3/4 d man. I don't see anyone on the roster who can logistically fill that role. That include the Pain Train, Meech, Quincey, Lebda, and Cheli.

Of that group, Cheli has the best chance. However, I think the Wings would be better served keeping him on the 3rd pairing with Lebda. It'll keep him fresh for the playoffs which is where the Wings will really need him.

Now the question is who will fill that 3/4 spot?

[Vancouver Wings Fan 0]

..... Chicago...after being disposable to LA....after being disposable to Vancouver.....notice the trend???

Sopel never was nor ever would be a Red Wing....he knew it and he did the right thing for his career....move on.....

Belive me, I've seen him play out here for a number of years...we will not miss him......

[Kutcher 0]

I have to say I'm a little disappointed, especially since Quincey is hurt.

Chicago just keeps looking more dangerous this year, they're definitely a dark horse in the league.

[Guest DetroitIan]

This may bring Kindl back into the frame.

That's what Im hoping for. Cause IMO Kindl should be in there over Meech. Ahh hell, we need to get Markov signed.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

When you have to go to training camp without a contract and you have to fight to earn another NHL paycheque, it probably dawns on a player that maybe this is his last chance to play in the NHL. I'd take the most amount of money I could get for my family's sake.

QFT

[Guest LivingtheDream]

Greed took over? So if you were in his situation with no previous connection to the Wings at all, you'd automatically choose the Wings for less cash? That makes no sense. While I'd definitely say that the Wings are in better shape to have a prolonged run for the Cup, there are no guarantees that way. Going to Chicago he gets more money and, the way Chicago's defensive corps is, he'll get more playing time. I fail to see how greed even enters into it.

People who jump on the greed bandwagon are just jealous and probably not making very good coin on their own. It is a common knee jerk reaction of the low economic perfomer working class sports fan.

[Izzy24 44]

People who jump on the greed bandwagon are just jealous and probably not making very good coin on their own. It is a common knee jerk reaction of the low economic perfomer working class sports fan.

Yeah, that must be it.