NHL Mail: Rankings, Sopel and Luongo
Scott Cullen, TSN.ca
1/31/2004
1Dear Mr. Cullen, I think your formula for defenseman might overemphasize offensive characteristics. Certainly Brent Sopel, who is a good offensive defenseman but very sloppy defensively, should not be higher than three time defending Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidtstrom. Also, I was curious where Ed Jovanovski finished. There is no question he is the best defenseman on the Canucks, and certainly better than Bryan McCabe, failed to make your list. I know your probably more qualified than I am to decide who should be where, but I think the omission of Jovanovski, who is a game breaker and a future Norris Trophy winner, takes credibility from your list. Mark Danylchuk, Sudbury, ON
Mark, you're not going to have to sell me on Nicklas Lidstrom's accomplishments. He's absolutely been one of the best in the league over the past decade, but Sopel happens to have more points, and a better plus-minus, in fewer games this season. As for Jovo, his minus-1 rating isn't doing him any favours and he's sitting in the 30ish neighbourhood of my rankings depending on the night. If Sopel is indeed sloppy defensively, it would presumably show up at some point in his plus-minus. Considering his plus-13 still has him in the middle of the pack on the Canucks' blueline, it's hard to punish him for his defensive liabilities just yet. - SC
Hey I was just looking at your Player Rankings like I always do and I come across your new Player Rankings for the top 25 d-men and I am lets say the least shocked at one major thing....Ok I am one of the biggest Canuck fans you will see around and I look at your ranking and it has Brent Sopel near
the top ahead of Ohlund and the fact Jovo aint even on the list is sickening....But Sopel?? He turns over more pucks in one game then Ohlund and Jovo do in a year....He has moderate speed...He has a moderate shot.....he defense skillz aint that great and he has one of the ugliest looks in NHL how can you put someone like him ahead of Ohlund or Jovo??? He's the one player id like to see go on my Nuckers cause he gives away the game more then any of the D on Vancouver...Thanks From Victoria, Scott T
Scott, putting aside Sopel's looks for a moment, I can rank him ahead of Ohlund and Jovanovski because Sopel has better numbers this season than those two. I've seen Sopel turn the puck over a bit but, at the end of the day, as long as he has the best numbers, he must be doing something right, wouldn't you say? - SC
Dear Mr. Cullen, after reading the TSN.ca top nhl player rankings for defencemen I have only one question. Why is Brent Sopel ranked number 8th and higher than say, his counter part Mattias Ohlund, or players like Scott Niedermayer, or Jason Woolley? First of all I am a Canucks fan, (friends even call me trent sopel) however since I'm not in vancouver right now I haven't watched Canucks hockey for a while. I understand that Sopel has a good plus minus, and point total etc., but Sopel to me is known for crappy and risky defensive plays, some of his errors are just heartpounding to watch. Can you tell me what his done in the past weeks to become 8th on your books? Thank you very much, sincerely, Trent Guo
Trent, some of the credit for Sopel being rated so highly probably should go to Ohlund, who is a steadier defensive presence. However, since they are on the ice together quite a bit, it's hard to statistically differentiate which one made the costly turnover. That leaves Sopel's slightly better offensive numbers to leave him with a slight edge in overall rating. What's interesting is that high-risk Sopel was plus-21 in 2001-2002 before sinking to minus-15 last year. Back up at plus-13 this year, that's a pretty substantial improvement so, until his errant ways catch up to him, he'll remain ranked among the league's better blueliners. - SC
Cheers,
Aquaman