Former Blackhawks' Stanley Cup Champion Goes After Connor Bedard
Photo credit: The Players Tribune
Former Blackhawks' defenseman Brent Sopel knows a thing or two about winning, and today called out Connor Bedard for his lack of effort on the ice
Brent Sopel started his career in the NHL in 1996 with the Vancouver Canucks. But the defenseman would reach the pinnacle of his career in 2010, with the Chicago Blackhawks where he'd win a Stanley Cup at the start of the team's dynasty.
While he only won one Stanley Cup in Chicago, he'd only stay in the NHL one more season as he'd with a KHL team.
He returned home to Chicago to play for the Wolves in the AHL in 2014. However, winning one Stanley Cup as a depth defenseman doesn't make you an expert on how a centerman should play his game.
Today he inserted himself in the conversation about Connor Bedard after Mark Messier and P.K. Subban floated the idea of benching him yesterday.
Sopel would call out Bedard, and of course, he wouldn't stop deriding the 1st overall pick in 2023, even after Blackhawks personality Mario Tirabassi contradicted him.
It appears that his criticism regarding Bedard's play focuses on his backchecking, which he feels doesn't exist, and thinks 98 is a selfish player despite the 1C tallying 30 assists this season.
While Messier and Subban offered a progressive way of dealing with Bedard's issues, Sopel relied on a reactionary discourse that isn't in touch with reality.
Considering the team has worked on making sure Bedard is set up to shoot the puck--after primarily being a playmaker at the start of the season--the idea that he's selfish is complete fiction.
Sopel retired from professional hockey in 2015 and played only 659 games in the NHL scoring 218 points (44G, 174 A) and has only one Stanley Cup to his name.
Previously on HawksInsider
POLL |
FEVRIER 2 | 228 ANSWERS Former Blackhawks' Stanley Cup Champion Goes After Connor Bedard Do you think defenseman Brent Sopel is incorrect about Center Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks' play as of late? |
Yes | 135 | 59.2 % |
No | 93 | 40.8 % |
List of polls |
|
5 hours ago | By Sam Walker Paul Bissonnette Turns Team Bedard After Criticizing His 'Pond Hockey' Player Last Week |
|
8 hours ago | By Joshua Deeds Pat Maroon Issues a Statement on Those Disrespecting Connor Bedard |
|
8 hours ago | By Jim Precourt Blackhawks take the ice on Saturday vs Blues in a new jersey |
|
9 hours ago | By Joshua Deeds Super Bowl Reporter Dies Just One Year After Losing Wife in Car Crash |
|
12 hours ago | By Sam Walker PWHL Hands Out First Fine in League History to Marie-Philip Poulin For Charging |
|
13 hours ago | By Joshua Deeds Former NHL 4th Overall Pick's Contract Being Terminated |
|
14 hours ago | By Joshua Deeds Team Canada Announces Crosby's Replacement Amongst Injury Concerns For 4 Nations Face-Off |
|
16 hours ago | By Joshua Deeds Blackhawks' Hidden Gem: Nick Lardis Shatters Records with 50 Goals in OHL Season |