No Modano in Motown? Not so fast

by Ryan Weiss on Jul 2, 2010 2:37 PM CDT in News

For the first time in his NHL career, Mike Modano will not be wearing a star on his chest. The Dallas Stars announced earlier in the week they wouldn't re-sign their longest tenured player, who has been with the team since their days as the Minnesota North Stars.

That has immediately fueled speculation that the Red Wings would be in the running for Modano, and GM Ken Holland confirmed that today:

"He's a local boy, a (future) Hall of Famer, yeah, I'm interested," Holland said. "We've had good success through the years in getting the most out of players that are nearing the end."

Modano still has the scoring touch even as he nears age 41, netting 14 goals last year in 59 games. The Wings would absolutely love to have a scoring threat on their third or fourth line, but the cap might prevent it. Detroit currently has $54 million committed to the $59 million cap, and has already tendered offers to Darren Helm, Justin Abdelkader, Drew Miller, Patrick Eaves, and Derek Meech.

Modano made $3.45 million last season, but he's going to have to take less on the open market. While the Wings could get a "hometown discount" on him, they'd still have to let guys go to make room. If that happens, Meech and Miller are likely the guys that get the shaft. Meech is probably going to be traded anyways since he can't seem to crack the roster, but Miller is fairly young and was a good role player last year and could be missed down the road.

Still, this is all speculation at this point. Even a crack at a Stanley Cup might not be enough to convince Modano to keep playing. He's already mulling an offer from Dallas to join the front office.

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If Holland wants him, he’ll fit him in and without too much trouble too. If Modano signs for around $1m (and I think $1m is a fairly realistic figure for a 14-goal scorer), Detroit could definitely fit him into the cap. In fact, the Red Wings could realistically have a 24-man roster with him and still be under the cap. But only just.

Word on a Wing

by WordonaWing on Jul 2, 2010 3:47 PM CDT reply actions

I dunno, I don’t see Modano taking that much less. I think I’d rather have a young Miller than another vet for a short time. IMO it’s more realistic that he takes a front office job in Dallas than continue playing, but one can wish.

by mikerlz on Jul 2, 2010 3:54 PM CDT reply actions

Mike Join the Redwings Win A Cup and Parade it in A Redwings Uniform at Your Arena In Livonia!!!

Houses in Grosse Pointe are at an all-time low!!!!

by Marcmargolis on Jul 2, 2010 4:05 PM CDT reply actions

Mo to Detroit YUCK..............

Ha just kidding. Im a giant Stars fan and hate to see Modano go to anyone other than the Stars. But this is one time I wouldnt mind seeing someone go to the Red Wings

To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.

by v0mitus on Jul 2, 2010 4:45 PM CDT reply actions

Not sure

I kind of like the idea,
But Miller is also a local boy (at least college wise), is 10 years younger, and with a full season here probably would match Modono’s 14 goals from last year (he had 10 last year). Plus he’ll be around more than 1 season.

Basically, if we can get the same production out of Miller I see no reason to get rid of other guys to make room.

Though I do think the winged wheel would look nice on Modono.

by ManBearPig21 on Jul 2, 2010 4:47 PM CDT reply actions

An oldie but a goodie

I loved watching Modano when he was young and leading the North Stars, but it would be kind of interesting to see him on the Red Wings. Until the Wild signed Cullen yesterday, I figured Modano would end up with the Wild so he could end his career here. That would have been slightly poetic. But end it with the Red Wings? Well, I guess he could play for another decade and still be younger than Chelios is now…

by Steven Rothberg on Jul 2, 2010 5:14 PM CDT reply actions

Not the right fit...

I like Modano but Detroit already has an excellent mix of experienced veterans and up-and-coming youth talent. I don’t think they need to add any more veteran experience to the locker room. Save that cap space for a younger player that can grow around the existing core of veterans.

I think Modano would be a better fit somewhere like Chicago or Pittsburgh— younger teams hungry for a strong veteran presence in their locker room. With the fire sale the Blackhawks seem to be having to free up cap space and all of the prospects they’ve been bringing on board in the process, Modano would provide some excellent veteran experience to balance out all of that youthful inexperience.

Although I noticed that it doesn’t appear the Penguins have extended an offer to Bill Guerin yet and for veteran experience in the locker room, Modano would be a bit of an upgrade over Guerin.

by Perplexio on Jul 2, 2010 5:18 PM CDT reply actions

the problem with Pittsburgh or Chicago

Is that he doesn’t have any emotional ties there. If an athlete is going to move on after a very, very long time in one place, instead of taking a front office job with that organization, it’s usually somewhere he has a strong emotional pull. Where he grew up, where his parents moved to, where he went to college, something like that. It gives a comfort level that just any old place doesn’t have.

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Science nerd and proud of it!

by Baroque on Jul 2, 2010 6:08 PM CDT up reply actions

I like Modano and would love to see him on the team...

But I view him as a Stevie Y type of guy, I don’t think he should EVER leave the Stars organization. Take the front office job.

by ZWC11 on Jul 2, 2010 5:28 PM CDT reply actions

need more scoring

not enough goals….save the space for a young guy who can score…

by JDawg in Cbus on Jul 2, 2010 8:27 PM CDT reply actions

I’m a Stars fan, and if Modano plays anywhere, I want him to play in Detroit. It would make sense for him to play near his hometown. All I want is a happy Mo, and I think he’d be happy coming home.

Here's to all us girls who love hockey...and the men who play it.

by Brad_Richards_Rocks on Jul 2, 2010 10:12 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

I think Mo would be a great addition

Not actually, he just doesn’t fill a need. But if it gets Willa Ford here, then absolutely, bring him in.

by eight_legged_freaks on Jul 4, 2010 5:11 PM CDT reply actions

Modano as a Wing

Yup! He scored many goals as a NorthStar while playing on the wing. Although Tom Hicks has an excellent reputation as an owner of the dallas stars, he has not been able to match the success of the Wings. Maybe Modano would like to play for an organization that can treat players right and win more than one Stanley Cup in all those ‘winning’ seasons in BIG d. Then again, only Mike will answer all of this speculation. Maybe Mike could wear number 09- it ain’t retired, but it probably ain’t legal by NHL standards. Come on Bettman, change one for MO! “Modano Signs a $1.1 million dollar one year contract. Reports state he will play left wing and let shots fly like Bobby Hull used to, of course he will be expected to be responsible defensevely. Rumor has it a special dispensation has been granted to the Wings that will allow Modano to sport sweater number 09.” Makes a great headline, even if it is not true.

by grATTITUDE on Jul 5, 2010 9:34 PM CDT reply actions

I'd love it if Modano signed

I think he would provide the “Let’s win one for the veteran” fuel a la Dallas Drake. I know he won a Cup in 1999, but that’s 10+ years ago now, the hunger would definitely be renewed.

by Elfuego51 on Jul 5, 2010 11:08 PM CDT reply actions