Sopel Off to Russia

With things slowing down, it's a good time to see what a popular, former Hawk is up to. Brent Sopel signed with the KHL's (Russian League) Mettalurg Novokuznetsk last week (and that's the last time I'll be typing that team name, for fear of brain bubble). We all make jokes about sending someone off to Siberia, but Sopes is literally doing it. That's where the team is based, and the shortest flight he'll have to face another team is two hours.One can't help but feel bad for Sopel here. He made no secret of how hard it was to be away from his family last year in Atlanta and Montreal, as his wife and sons remained here in Chicago where they were quite happy. I wouldn't pretend to know Sopel's financial situation, but considering he played for over $2 million for three years, which is the contract he signed here, and had been in the league for over ten years, he's probably made a fair bit of coin. And one would have to imagine he's getting a ...