Mike Modano to sign with the Red Wings

by Michael Petrella on Aug 3, 2010 12:18 AM CDT in News

Details are a bit hazy this late, but word out of Detroit is that Mike Modano is expected to sign his one-year offer on Thursday.

We'll have more as it becomes available -- but stay tuned over the next few days as we get some clarity.

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by john.kmiecik on Aug 3, 2010 1:24 AM CDT reply actions

Ditto.

by mikerlz on Aug 3, 2010 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions

As long as this means Helm and Abdelkader sign soon, I am happy.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Aug 3, 2010 1:36 AM CDT reply actions

As much as Modano has been angering Wings fans with his waiting. If his announcement truly comes Thursday we still have about 2 months to decide deals for Abby and Helm. No need to get everything down right away until they know exactly what the situation is.

This is great news for the Wings center depth IMO and maybe even overall depth. Besides the obvious 2 lines of Z-Dats-Homer and Mule-Bert-Flip. We have Hudler-Cleary-(Modano if the article is 100% telling the truth) and than ther’s others like Abby, Helm, Miller, Eaves, etc.

Also anyone find it funny that Thursday on NHL Network will have the 1998 Wings cup win over Washington and than the next day is the Stars 1999 win about the time Modano makes his announcement in between the 2? I Know that’s all coincidental with scheduling and the chronological fact. But it still gives me a “heh what are the odds” moment.

by SonicMario(RW) on Aug 3, 2010 3:03 AM CDT reply actions

It's just the Free Press

I haven’t seen a reputable source confirm it yet. All we know is there’s a big announcement Thursday. We can guess at that, but I would back off from any sure statements.

L'Équipe! L'Équipe! L'Équipe!

by Misopogon on Aug 3, 2010 4:53 AM CDT reply actions

I'm going to go ahead and assume it's a done deal

And I will immediately start making my peace with it.

Fortunately, that should take me less time than it took Modano to decide whether he wanted to sign with us.

by J.J. from Kansas on Aug 3, 2010 6:57 AM CDT reply actions

This is what happens when I go to bed at an old man hour. Oh well, glad it was good news.

Winging It In Motown

by Casey Richey on Aug 3, 2010 7:30 AM CDT reply actions

So what does

this mean for helm or Abdelkader?

by bond021 on Aug 3, 2010 8:17 AM CDT reply actions

Since he’s only being paid $1.25 million from the sounds of it, it should mean we’ll hear of them signing soon enough. Also means that Lilja is pretty much gone for sure now.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Aug 3, 2010 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Helm and Abby will both get deals. My guess is somewhere in the 3-year range for both at slightly higher cap hits. Maltby’s probably done for, Ritola’s probably in Grand Rapids this year (provided he clears waivers to get there, which he likely will do).

Helm and Abby will probably play dueling centers on the fourth line with Eaves getting the majority of the games while Miller and Draper sit in the box as injury call-ups.

Total speculation though. Who knows what could happen at camp. If Aaron Downey is really in the shape he says he’s in, that could throw a wrench into the works for any of the depth guys. I just can’t see getting rid of either Helm or Abby unless there are things about them that I don’t want to know.

by J.J. from Kansas on Aug 3, 2010 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions

I could

never give up helm or abby…. that would make me sick. At the same time im interested to see what this downey tryout out does… we could def use a tough guy, but at the same time i think it might hurt us in the skilled area. I dont know.. i just cant wait till this wheelin and dealin crap is over.

by bond021 on Aug 3, 2010 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Helm isn’t going anywhere because of his PK ability. If he keeps progressing the way he has his first couple of seasons, he’ll be the premier penalty killer in the league very soon. Abdelkader may see some healthy scratches this season, but not many. I doubt Downey will see much, if any, time with the Wings.

Either way, I am happy with our lines currently.

Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Bertuzzi
Franzen-Filpulla-Zetterberg
Hudler-Cleary-Modano
Helm-Abdelkader-Eaves/Miller/Drapes

Lidstrom-Rafalski
Stuart-Kronwall
Kindl-Ericsson

Howard
Osgood

Barring an opening night injury to Franzen (again… again), I think we should be just fine. I also suspect an Ozzy-like play structure for Modano where they don’t let him play on consecutive nights. It’d conserve him for the playoffs (where he is a maestro) and allow 5-10 extra games for the Miller/Eaves/Draper combo or a call up from Grand Rapids.

And yes, Ritola will clear waivers. Some guy on ESPN was pretty upset about Ritola not having a spot because of Modano, but Ritola didn’t have a spot to begin with. He’s a player that will never really come out of the “prospect” stage of his career, I think.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Aug 3, 2010 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSr1i4AUnYA I never get tired of that.

by mikerlz on Aug 3, 2010 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions

I'll never get tired of...

…remembering being there in awe as this kid showed everyone why he’s a Red Wing.

by The Dk on Aug 3, 2010 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions

it's so...beautiful!

Winging It In Motown

by Casey Richey on Aug 3, 2010 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions

He's a special kid

My favorite thing about that video (aside from the obvious ass-hustle Danger shows), is that Detroit fans prove they’re better than Avs fans (AGAIN) by recognizing and applauding the effort WHILE IT IS HAPPENING.

Pierre Maguire didn’t even have to point it out. While stroking himself.

by Michael Petrella on Aug 3, 2010 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions

That still brings a smile to my face.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Aug 3, 2010 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Excellent signing.Believe me ,he’ll be more then a third line center on this team.

by jjkkk on Aug 3, 2010 9:58 AM CDT reply actions

confused?

I think the opposite.. I think this team is too deep for him to be anything but 3rd line material. our first 2 lines will be very strong. From the looks of it our 3rd is looking pretty solid too, but i dont see him being anything but a 3rd liner unless an injury occurs.

by bond021 on Aug 3, 2010 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Holland would never make any deal that would jeopardize the ability to sign Helm or Abdelkader. NO WAY. I don’t worry about that one bit. These guys are part of the plan for the future and there just isn’t a chance they would lose them in free agency.

by dewman8810 on Aug 4, 2010 4:49 AM CDT reply actions