Modano pushes off retirement, gives himself and Detroit another chance at Cup
Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland is a patient man. But then, you can afford to be when you know what you want and have the means to get it.
On 1 July, when future Hall of Famer Mike Modano was shown the door by Dallas GM and former team-mate Joe Nieuwendyk, Modano’s agent’s phone rang. It was Detroit calling. After being flown to Motown and courted by both Ken Holland and Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, Modano was treated to a Tigers’ game. The pitch was made and what remained was the 40-year old’s decision.
Modano signed a one-year deal for a reported $2.5 million and includes a bonus package. In all likelihood, Modano will play centre (now sporting number 90 as his original number 9 is retired in honour of Detroit Great Gordie Howe) alongside Dan Cleary and returning winger Jiri Hudler.
The Wings were absolutely decimated last year as a result of injuries, having up to 8 players on the bench at the same time, most of them starters. The losses of Mikael Samuelsson to Vancouver, Marian Hossa to Chicago and Jiri Hudler to the KHL have left a huge gap in Detroit’s offence and forced them to turn to a more conservative, defensive style of play. Now with the return of Hudler in the mix, there is now a complete, experienced playmaker who also sports a Stanley Cup ring and you find yourself with a team that has once again the depth, talent and character to make it as far as the Cup Finals for what would be the third trip in four years.
At this point in time in his career, Modano no longer has to (or probably even wants to) be the load-bearer and face of a franchise. In Detroit, he would need to be neither. At the age of 40, the years of clawing and grinding for puck possession should be behind him. In Detroit, with their style of play, they are.
As a gifted play maker who can still skate and has a great flair for the game, he will be right at home in a place where the puck is more often than not on the stick of one of his colleagues. Being surrounded with all-stars the likes of Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen, he will not be expected to be in front of the cart. He can make plays while Daniel Cleary does a fair bit of the grunt work and he can get some give-and-go with Hudler who can act both as a passer and trigger-man. With three full lines devoid of any filler, Detroit now has what few others have: ammunition on all fronts.
While most teams rely on a solid line or two, the Wings will be firing onall cylinders come September. Modano brings tons of experience and leadership, which is surely to be passed on to the younger Wings play makers, namely second-liner Valtteri Filppula.
Modano says that discussions with friends and former Red Wings Chris Chelios, Brett Hull and current Wing Todd Bertuzzi also helped make his decision. All agreed that Detroit was a class organization that knows how best to mix in veterans along with the younger, less experienced talent.
At the beginning of the season, Detroit could have up to eight veterans who are pushing forty in their line-up; Kirk Maltby and Kris Draper are at the forefront, but none of them have the natural gifts, stride and play-making abilities of Mike Modano. Should he perform to expectations, it could make decisions to push other veterans out the door easier for Ken Holland. The team might not be rejuvenated but will definitely be solidified.
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