18 replies to this topic

[klaitinen]

Looks like some chatter has started. Modano finishes his career off as a wing?

http://www.rotoworld...g...11178&id=37

[YzerFan19]

As George Malik puts it, that's just Ken Holland doing his due diligence. Of course he asked, but there's no way Modano would take a league-minimum contract to play on the fourth line just because it's Detroit.

Holland also asked about Slava Kozlov. Similarly, not gonna happen.

I'd love it if either of those cases did happen but the Wings already have 14 forwards, 13 if they risk sending Mattias Ritola through waivers. They want a grit guy they can sign to a two-way deal and bring up when needed, Modano is not that.

[YzerFan19]

Of course, now there are reports that the Wings are really pushing for Modano and that he's interested. Still makes absolutely no sense, of course.

Maybe Rule of Cool applies here. Modano on the Wings would be frikkin' sweet so it doesn't matter that it doesn't fit Detroit's previously-stated offseason plan.

[YzerFan19]

Well, I'm more than a bit shocked.

If Mike Modano decides not to retire, he'll play for the Wings next season.

http://detnews.com/a...0424/1128/rss16

[YzerFan19]

I've been going back and forth on whether or not I think the Red Wings signing Mike Modano would be a good thing or a bad one.

My first thought was that there was no way it would happen. Modano's not the gritty fourth-liner the Wings said they were looking for. He doesn't come at the league minimum salary. It's not a fit.

Of course, I wanted it to happen because Modano's one of the great American players of all-time. The storyline is great, with Modano coming to Detroit and ending his career with his hometown team. And over the holiday weekend, as rumors started heating up, it was easy to change my mind.

Modano is a much better third-line center than Justin Abdelkader. He's a second-unit power play threat. He's a veteran leader on a team whose forward corps is very young (by Detroit standards). The cost would be marginal, with Mattias Ritola being waived to go to Grand Rapids, a move the Red Wings seemingly planned for anyway by giving him a two-way deal last spring.

Today, I'm on the negative side again. Forget the salary cap, the cost will be too high based on roster limits alone.

The Red Wings currently have 14 forwards, 7 defensemen and two goalies, assuming all three of their remaining unsigned restricted free agents return. That's a 23-man lineup, the league max.

Yes, Ritola could be waived. He might make it through to GR. He's the only one who might, though.

Subtracting Ritola and adding Modano still puts the Red Wings at 23 men. Two extra forwards, one extra defenseman, no third-string goalie. While it could work, I don't think it's worth the risk.

If Jimmy Howard or Chris Osgood got hurt, there'd be no roster spot for a short-term call-up of Joey MacDonald. If two defensemen went down at once the Wings would be short on the blueline.

The Wings might be in that kind of situation without Modano. Or they could go all season with no injuries (or only injuries to forwards). That doesn't mean tempting fate is the right decision.

Of course, if they could swing a deal where they at least got something in return for some of their depth, that changes everything.

[red]

Sorry but I'm under the impression that since McDonald is signed with the wings he can be called up at any time. All they would need to do is scratch on or other goalie. Theres no risk, I want Modano to sign, we'll have a team like 02 or 08 again.

[YzerFan19]

Scratching a player just means they're not in the lineup on a given night.

MacDonald can be called up at any time but in order to make room on the roster (not necessarily in the lineup) for him then Wings would need to remove a player from that roster.

But much of the buzz seems to be that moving Drew Miller and/or Derek Meech won't be a big deal, so maybe I'm worrying too much about roster limits. Or maybe people just want this to work. I want it to work, I just don't see it as a fit right now. Maybe by the end of the summer it will be one.

[drwmike33]

Clark, I'm surprised I haven't seen a Jersey # prediction from you yet... My buddy Chase and I have been debating the number he'll choose. Chase seems to think he'll take 91. I'm not convinced. It will be a very tough call! I think he would be more likely to take another "single number" like #3, since 3 X 3 is 9.... I don't know.... What do you think?

[YzerFan19]

I was going to save the jersey number prediction for my annual number roundup, if he even signs.

Right now I'm guessing #27 (which he's worn in the All-Star Game when #9 was taken) or #8 (with Abdelkader switching). I'd prefer to see him in #90 or #91 'cause I think they look cool (and if Meech can take Shanahan's number, Modano certainly can have Fedorov's).

[drwmike33]

#91 is an ugly number in Detroit, thanks to Fedorov. Maybe it's time to forget the bad taste in my mouth, though.

It'll be interesting!

[SYfanSD]

Can't wait for the result of this one...

[YzerFan19]

The Detroit Free Press reports that free agent forward Mike Modano will sign with the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.

"Big announcement Thursday," Modano reportedly sent in a text Monday.

Modano had previously declared that he would not decide his future until he began skating on August 5 (Thursday).

In addition to the Red Wings, he has entertained offers from the Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks. Detroit was the only team he actually visited, meeting with general manager Ken Holland and coach Mike Babcock for lunch and a Detroit Tigers game last month.

Modano would center the Red Wings' third line with Jiri Hudler and Dan Cleary and could play the point on the second power play unit, replacing Justin Williams.

[YzerFan19]

Helene St. James of the Freep has been on top of today's breaking Mike Modano news, having broken the latest update last night and added another today.

The recap as of right now...

Modano will join the Red Wings next season, likely at $1.25 million but the contract is not yet signed.

That part is expected to happen Friday. Modano returns from a golfing trip in Scotland on Thursday night and the Red Wings will have a press conference at the Joe at 2:30 PM the next day.

Malik may have misinterpreted St. James' note about Modano's jersey number. He says #90 is set in stone while she says it's leaning that way. I personally like #90 better than the also-rumored #27 but prefer #91 to both, though it may never have been an option.

[drwmike33]

Looks like it's official. NHL.com wouldn't report otherwise, I imagine...

http://www.nhl.com/i...vid=DL|NHL|home

[YzerFan19]

Technically, it's not official until Friday. Right now everyone is just confirming that it will happen.

[Mathieu_Datsyuk132351]

Facebook just posted a link, so if it's facebook official it's gotta be real then!

[YzerFan19]

Facebook just posted a link, so if it's facebook official it's gotta be real then!

The Wings have officially announced the deal, with his introduction now scheduled for 2:00 PM tomorrow. He'll wear #90.

[YzerFan19]

Malik says the number isn't determined yet. It'll be #89 or #90.

[YzerFan19]

Modano settled on #90, says ESPN Dallas via Malik.