While most hockey fans and pundits are focused on where and when UFA Ilya Kovalchuk will sign, there is a superstar more worthy of praise who is deciding which team he wants to end his glorious NHL career with.
Mike Modano has been a part of the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars organization since the 1990-91 season. So when we heard that GM Joe Nieuwendyk did not have a roster spot for him for the 2010-11 season, most puckheads assumed that he would hang the skates up and stay within the Stars organization.
Obviously, this is not the case as three teams are interested in Modano — the Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, and the Detroit Red Wings. Two out of the three mentioned teams make sense as Modano was once a Minnesota North Star and he’s from Livonia, Michigan. One would have to have guess that San Jose is in the mix because of their Stanley Cup chances.
For many of us, the choice would be the Wild. Modano has a history in Minnesota, and what better way to end a career than to play in the place that started it all!? We certainly all remember the night this past season when Modano skated onto the ice at the end of a game against the Wild in Minnesota and he slipped on a North Stars’ jersey.
With that said, however, it looks like the Detroit Red Wings are the front runners for Modano’s services. According to NHL.com, Red Wings’ head coach Mike Babcock believes that Modano signing in Detroit is inevitable.
“This is a no brainer for Mike Modano – the highest scoring American player
of all time to come back to your hometown, play in hockeytown,” Babcock told
NHL.com Friday.
Babcock also said the following:
“I think we’re a good fit for him and I think he knows it,” Babcock said. “I
know the veteran players we have dealt with over the years, so I’m a big
believer if Mike Modano comes to Detroit he won’t be here for one year,
he’ll play for two.”
It will be interesting to see where Modano goes but judging from what Babcock is saying, it looks like Mike Modano may be headed back home to Michigan for a year or two.
Photo credit: Getty Images
By the looks of it, even money is on Detroit at this point from all that has been talked about. However do not sell Minnesota short just yet. Minnesota would be about 10 to 1 at this point if you were a betting person. Stay tuned on this….a decision might come on this one in the coming week unlike some players.
And a special thanks to Mr. Hoffman as always….
