Modano's Uncertain Future Will Not Continue in Dallas

 

Mike Modano remains uncertain about his playing future in the National Hockey League. While he weighs the option to retire or return after over 20 seasons as the face of Dallas Stars hockey and one of the most prolific U.S. born skaters, it appears the only organization he as ever called home will not welcome another season with him on their roster. General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk announced on Tuesday, via the team’s official Web site, that the 40-year old franchise leader in 15 regular season categories and 11 postseason ones would not be offered a new contract as an unrestricted free agent starting July 1.

“It was something that I’ve been talking to Mike about for quite some time,” Nieuwendyk said on Tuesday. “It’s a difficult decision for our fans, and it’s a difficult decision for our organization. But from my standpoint, I feel it’s necessary for us to move forward under these trying times. It’s a tough decision, but we’re going to move on without him on the ice. My primary focus is making the Dallas Stars a contender again. You’re not going to replace Mike Modano, but like all great players, at some point you have to turn the page. The strength of our team is our youth, and we have some great young players that will push to the next level.”

This must a heart wrenching realization for Dallas fans, who adore the man that has adorned the No. 9 for their team and only their team since the franchise relocated to Texas back in 1991. And even Modano there was “an outside chance” he could make another run with the Stars, according to an interview he conducted Tuesday with ESPNDallas.com. But this move can hardly be unexpected, especially after everybody in the American Airlines Center showered Modano with tear-inducing cheers on what believed to possibly be his final home game with the Stars on April 9:

 

If Nieuwendyk is to move forward with a more youthful approach in Dallas, cutting ties with Modano was a necessary move. No longer a top line center capable of scoring 30 goals and 80 points, Modano had been reduced to a fourth line role. That’s not a proper spot for the future Hall of Famer. And it’s not a spot he wanted to embrace anymore, as he told ESPN it was “starting to get old.”

If Modano chooses to return, it will have to be in what he deems the “right situation.” The Dallas Morning News posted some comments from Modano, in which he indicated that the right situation would come with a team he is familiar with, and that includes each one of the four division rivals of his former squad.

“There are several teams out West: Phoenix, San Jose, Anaheim and LA,” Modano said. “I know a lot of the players and coaches of these teams because we've played them so much.”

The team that immediately stands out from that list is Phoenix, which employs former Dallas-head coach Dave Tippett as its current bench boss. And the Coyotes would also be the only team of those four where he would likely see a larger role and more minutes than what he garnered with the Stars last season. And even with diminished on-ice contributions over the years, a 15-goal, 30-assists Modano would still be a wonderful asset to have for a growing organization out in the dessert.

Stars’ fans would cringe at the sight of Modano in a rival sweater and would much rather he transition into an off-ice role with the Stars instead of play elsewhere. The current sale of the team doesn’t make a move into the front office a guaranteed one for Modano, although Nieuwendyk has promised to be “be the first guy knocking on our new owner’s door in order to have Mike part of this organization.” And Modano will be open to that idea when he does choose to retire.

But he's not at that place yet.

"Letting go of the game and moving on is very hard," Modano told The Dallas Morning News. "It's a tough decision to make and a lot of athletes are uncomfortable with it."

Modano's situation is perhaps more uncomfortable than what other athletes dealt with, though. He faces the prospect of suiting up for another franchise after 20 years of building an untouchable legacy with just one.