Modano Returning Home To Detroit

 

Although his 20-year career with the Dallas Stars/Minnesota North Stars franchise concluded at the end of last season, the 40-year old center wasn’t yet ready to hang up the skates. After summer long speculation and an early week report by The Detroit Free Press that he finally made a decision, Mike Modano confirmed on Tuesday that he will play next season for his hometown Detroit Red Wings in an interview with Scoreboard Monthly.

“It was a lot of back and forth internally, but I ultimately decided I wasn’t ready to hang up the skates so I’m going to Detroit,” Modano told the Dallas/Fort Worth based magazine.

Modano is expected to make an official announcement tomorrow regarding this move. ESPN Dallas reported that Modano was offered $1.25 million over a one year pact by General Manager Ken Holland, and it’s anticipated that he will at least start the season as the team’s third line pivot.

It’s hard to imagine Modano sporting a sweater other than the Stars’ because the entirety of his career has been spent there to this point. But when the team decided to get younger and move on without him, he was given a free pass to choose whatever destination best suited him. And that turned out to be Detroit, where he will now play 41 regular season and any number of postseason games in front of fans from his home state of Michigan.

Modano considered offers from the Minnesota Wild and the San Jose Sharks. But a talk with friend and former-Stars teammate Brett Hull ultimately led him to choose the Red Wings.

“I did talk to Brett and some other past and present Red Wings and it made me feel very comfortable with my decision," Modano said. "They all told me what a great organization and city it is to play in. And mix in the incredible talent they have playing there and it kind of made my decision for me.”

This is essentially a Jeremy Roenick move for Modano. When Roenick decided to join the Sharks in the last few years of his career, it was mainly to provide some leadership and experience to a squad already primed to make a run at the Stanley Cup. Along the way, Roenick chipped in on the score sheet and proved to be an invaluable commodity during the playoffs.

Modano should play a similar role with Detroit. The Red Wings are already a favorite to challenge for the Cup. The addition of Modano simply adds to their depth, which is no small play considering how much the team values contribution from all four lines. Modano will not need to carry the Red Wings on his shoulders like he did, at least in part, with the Stars. His experience, ability to score and playmaking skills are all Detroit needs from somebody expected to add to an already good team. And if early season play justifies it, his role may grow to garner him plenty of power play ice time and even a promotion to second line center duties.

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: