I would love to see that Modano jersey between Happy and Bear.

See you in TC all.

New Premier Locker rooms being constructed as we speak for the Wings Camp.

Posted by Bhernhard Bhudznev from Traverse City, MI on 07/07/10 at 07:39 AM ET

Agreed on all counts.

Here is another thing. Modano plays well, rejuvenated by the talent and passion around him, and in Babbles’s meritocracy, he challenges Tuzzi for the second line spot. As I said before, Tuzz-haters would love that. Tuzzi would be pushed and simplify his game even more as he did in the playoffs (despite some amazing cross-ice-for-one-timer passes he made).

This is all good news.

Posted by Osrt on 07/07/10 at 07:50 AM ET

I agree with everything said here.  My head gets dizzy just thinking about roster space and who would have to be moved or let go.  Then I realize that is going to happen anyway and it’s like.  Why am I worrying about this crap, that’s Kenny’s job.

Oh yeah Chief, welcome back, bitch.

Posted by ITDeuce from The Land of Ice and Snow on 07/07/10 at 08:01 AM ET

Here is another thing. Modano plays well, rejuvenated by the talent and passion around him, and in Babbles’s meritocracy, he challenges Tuzzi for the second line spot. As I said before, Tuzz-haters would love that. Tuzzi would be pushed and simplify his game even more as he did in the playoffs (despite some amazing cross-ice-for-one-timer passes he made).

I like the thought of this because I like Filppula on the wing and it would mean that Modano is playing like Mike Modano of old…or young…or whatever.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/07/10 at 08:06 AM ET

I came around to this yesterday.  *#$%@& it- I’m in.  I’m excited.  Now, that being said, it probably won’t happen, but the backup plan seems pretty ok too.

Posted by monkey from lighting my nuts on fire on 07/07/10 at 08:15 AM ET

I have done a 180 on this. I had felt, while I want Modano’s talent in this lineup, that it wasn’t worth it. But some of the 19 made a few convincing arguments, and I thought some more… bottom line, Drew Miller, Patrick Eaves, and Mattias Ritola don’t all have space in the Wings long-term plans. Even if MIller and Ritola stay what they are (bottom six guys, hard workers that chip in a few goals), and Eaves rekindles the offensive talent we know he has from his college days and rookie season… there’s just not room for all of them. The cap, and more importantly, the talent of Tatar and hopefully Nyquist, will force one of these guys out if you’re looking in the term of 1-2 years after this upcoming season.

Teams that agonize over players like Ritola are not making good hockey decisions.

I think the only “difficulty” the club is probably having with this is related to Kris Draper. Miller is the perfect 13th forward. You’d really like Eaves and his wrist shot on the fourth line with Helm and Abdelkader—Eaves and Helm played great together last year and Abdelkader is the type of player that just kind of “fits” wherever you put him. The hard part is, can you stomach giving Drapes the Maltby treatment (or worse, if the team is relatively healthy)? Can you do with him what you did with Mac? You don’t want to burn bridges with Drapes… he’s a life-long Wing, and the type of guy you want around your club after he retires. He’s a lot like Yzerman in the sense that he epitomizes what the Wings have been about—loyalty, hard work, treating people right, and taking advantage of your opportunity. You can’t risk throwing that relationship away.

I guess you could technically have your 23-man roster filled like this:
14 forwards (Miller and Draper as extras)
7 defenseman (Kindl has to be #6, the kid HAS to get ice time to reach his potential; Meech may be #7 at this rate)
2 goalies

Then you’re playing a risky game if a goalie gets hurt or has a personal emergency in the short-term (meaning you can’t put them on IR to get the cap space to call someone up). But this might be what they have to do.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 07/07/10 at 08:18 AM ET

whatever,I still see quite decent skill in Ritola,but I am not employed by the RW so what do I know,at least I have Bert and Happy

Posted by edillac from isolation on 07/07/10 at 08:37 AM ET

forgot this:
signing Modano is also a brilliant bussiness move,just think about the hype,the media coverage,the hightened interest in Wings games,the attendance,the merchandise,etc
Modano signing can increase RW organisations profit by a cool million or two,maybe even more,I am just talking out of my bussiness degree head,no real analysis yet offcourse,but he would be much more interesting to local consumers than some unproven Finish youngster.
Cant blame Ilitch for doing great bussiness,its why Wings are the greatest

Posted by edillac from isolation on 07/07/10 at 08:55 AM ET

There’s a reason even Dallas passed on him. They got to watch him every single night and said ‘no thanks’.

Hate to disagree with the big guys, but I think they’re hoping they have another Drake type signing. Problem is, Mike already won a cup.

Posted by Keyser S. from therealworldforum.com on 07/07/10 at 09:00 AM ET

Some late thoughts by Modano in this article if you haven’t seen it.  And I’ve only mentioned 10 or 12 times that George is a great place to find Wings and hockey news when you don’t think there is any.  George never sleeps.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2010/07/red_wings_make_pitch_to_nhl_ve.html

Here’s the stupid thing,  Tick Tock may be signing Modano plus all the Four Jets.  Some of that discussion we had may not even be a factor.  No Cap room and no Brad May, but who would you rather have, Modano, if motivated, and they are helping him become excited about hockey again, or the next Brad May?

Posted by RWBill from the Capital of the Confederacy. on 07/07/10 at 09:02 AM ET

They have better than a Drake signing.  Read Modano’s words and you can feel the competitiveness beginning to burn, Babcock lighting the match and Holland and Ilitch blowing on the coals.  I would be surprised if the thought of playing with The Franchise whose one objective every year is to win the Stanley Cup, instead of playing with a transitional Stars team, hasn’t already convinced him.

He last won a Cup 12 seasons ago, do you think that satisfies a competitive all-in-for-the-team kinda guy like Modano?  I do not.

And at the prices we’re apparently looking at?  Steal!

Posted by RWBill from the Capital of the Confederacy. on 07/07/10 at 09:08 AM ET

I like Mike, alot - - always have; always thought he was a high class player.  I’d like to see him make a run in the Winged Wheel.  Lord knows DET could use some more scoring.

But this - - this says it all about the situation, from Khan(!)

Tick Tock:  He’s got to determine if he has the energy, the enthusiasm, the determination and the drive to play again.’’ 

Mike:  “They are not trying to pressure me, but they want me to be sure,’’

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 07/07/10 at 09:16 AM ET

Holland said. “He wants to talk to people close to him. He’s got to determine if he has the energy, the enthusiasm, the determination and the drive to play again.’’

Pass. If you got to determine if you have the energy, ect. to play again, chances are you won’t during an 82 game season and playoffs. You either do or you don’t and if you do, you don’t have to determine that.

I still think part of this is a ploy to get Dallas to reconsider his value.

My scouting report; he’s soft.

Posted by Keyser S. from therealworldforum.com on 07/07/10 at 09:18 AM ET

As I noted yesterday, an MM signing is good if,
a) we can keep the [majority of the] kids, and,
2) he doesn’t get hurt [at 40, these things seems more likely to happen].

A home town curtain call for an American born hockey player that has had a really good career would be way cool on those premises for the Wings and us fanatics.

And with the rumors, [from FB: ]

George James Malik And Khan, St. James, McCosky all agree: Meech/Eaves will sign 1yr deals shortly, then Helm and Abby will sign multi-year deals later summer.
10 hours ago via TweetDeck

looks like Tick Tock may work his magic again.

Cool
... but if he signs, what number would he wear?(!)

Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 07/07/10 at 09:26 AM ET

Amen Chief.

Well said.

Posted by Down River Dan on 07/07/10 at 09:28 AM ET

Dallas Stars Home Opener

THU OCT 14, 2010   RED WINGS     STARS 7:30 PM  

Heck, If Mike signs I’d be tempted to go to that game, if my daughters’ moves haven’t completely killed my income three times over.

Here you see a warrior with a broken spirit in his June 30 presser, rambling underneath his breath trying to make sense of the organization he gave 20 years to telling him he is no longer useful.

Here are words from the same man after one magical day with The Braintrust:
“They are very serious about how I can help them, and that’s a great feeling,’’ Modano said. “I can see myself fitting in with this group, and to hear that they want me, that does make you feel you can definitely still play.’‘

“It’s flattering, really,’’ he said. “They have a vision for where I fit and what I can do to help the team. And obviously, getting a chance to play for a team that really feels it has a chance to win the Cup, that’s important.’‘
_______

A legendary warrior, the greatest American born forward ever, still with skills, still with wheels, all-in-for-the-team, with another chance for greatness that just one week ago he was told that he would never have, and to accomplish it in the city that he grew up in.  This is a timeless scenario to get the best out of someone that The Franchise has successfully implemented before.

Make it so, Mike.

Posted by RWBill from the Capital of the Confederacy. on 07/07/10 at 09:32 AM ET

Holland said. “He wants to talk to people close to him. He’s got to determine if he has the energy, the enthusiasm, the determination and the drive to play again.’’

Wait, that’s Lidstrom in May, did you pass on him?  He said those same words.

Posted by RWBill from the Capital of the Confederacy. on 07/07/10 at 09:34 AM ET

In Kenny we always trust. I couldn’t agree more, Chief.

Posted by Cwix from Grand Rapids, now Roanoke, VA on 07/07/10 at 09:38 AM ET

Ink, paper, sign.
Figure out the details of the roster puzzle in TC.
I’ve never questioned Kenny & not starting now.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 07/07/10 at 09:39 AM ET

I understand everyone’s reservations about this, I’m just 70/30 the other way on it.

Posted by RWBill from the Capital of the Confederacy. on 07/07/10 at 09:40 AM ET

Holland said. “He wants to talk to people close to him. He’s got to determine if he has the energy, the enthusiasm, the determination and the drive to play again.’’
Wait, that’s Lidstrom in May, did you pass on him?  He said those same words.
Posted by RWBill from The bar on The Hasek. v00x! Hurry up Bitch! on 07/07/10 at 09:34 AM ET

Well played Bill.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 07/07/10 at 09:44 AM ET

I’m all about it.

Take a few days to pick a number, Mike. But really, go ahead and put ink to paper. Depth, baby. Depth and defense win Cups.

Is there any question at all as to what lead to our early demise this spring? OK, so Howard didn’t play like the Dominator. Yeah… well did Niemi? Not so much. Sure, Big E was a Lebda-esque liability out there. But really, with our top four and defensively oriented system, its real hard to argue that the D were not near the best of the playoffs.

It was the depth. Our top two lines can skate circles around just about any in the league. After that, things got murky. Losing Marian Hossa meant absolute jack shit to this team. He may have helped during the season, when we had some injury issues, but he’s a perennial playoff choke artist. The biggest losses were Sammy and Happy. The guys who are known to score a playoff OT goal or two here and there. The guys who still have assloads of talent and could be a top six anywhere else and skate circles around the Scott Nichol’s of the world.

But without those depth guys and the constant threat of a third-line goal, the matchups became a crap shoot and it came down to who’s stars could bury the puck the most. Of course… it doesn’t help when one or more of those guys is sitting in the box at any given point in the game. Thanks, Gary. Ass.

My point? Modano solves that. The guys got an outstanding hockey mind, amazing veteran presence, a helluva shot, a dedication to defense, and a desire to win. I’ll take it. Potentially making almost a million dollars less than Todd Friggin Bertuzzi? Holy Fuch.

Slap a Winged Wheel on that Livionia boy, stat.

...is it October yet?

Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 07/07/10 at 09:50 AM ET

There’s a reason even Dallas passed on him. They got to watch him every single night and said ‘no thanks’.

Just like Tampa watched Miller play and said “no thanks,” right?

Or like how Carolina AND Boston gave a hearty simultaneous “no thanks” to Eaves, right?

Just because another team has passed on a guy, doesn’t necessarily mean he can be of no use. As Tick Tock has shown, the right system, the right motivation, and the right “not being a terrible GM” can all combine to get some amazing talent out of other teams scraps.

And that’s accepting the argument that Modano would be scraps. Injury risk, sure. Not quite the skater he was 10 years ago. But the guy is the best American born forward, ever. If you can get on board with Miller and Eaves, I gotta figure you can get behind Mike.

...is it OCtober yet?

Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 07/07/10 at 09:55 AM ET

I think it would be really hard for Modano to not join Detroit after getting the royal treatment.  They really want him, and they are the only team that does.

MM just needs to work it out with Willa.

I think RedWingBill should talk to her.  Then she would come to Detroit, for sure.

Posted by w2j2 on 07/07/10 at 10:03 AM ET

I think the Wings missed a golden opportunity in not bringing in Homer to help seal the deal with MM…

Posted by Hap from Grand Rapids, MI on 07/07/10 at 10:15 AM ET

Andrew from A2 and I met up here in Berlin and we talked a lot about Modano. He’ll explain his view

Don’t count on it, maté-breath.

Seriously though, I’ve kinda said it already.  He’s said he didn’t want a League-minimum deal to play third-line minutes with limited PP time in Dallas.  So why does he want the same thing in Detroit?  It wouldn’t make any sense.  And signing him before we know what he can bring would be a bad idea.  I still don’t think parting with any players besides Meech, Malts, and maybe trade Miller and/or waive Ritola (he would clear waivers and would land in GR) just to get Modano and his big giant teeth for one year is a good idea.  One thing Osrt hasn’t mentioned is our long talks about Gator centering the third line.  If he has to step up, let him step up.  I think he can do a decent job of it, as long as he gets time to adjust his game accordingly and time to gel with his linemates.  He is the future for us, Modano is the past.  Don’t get me wrong, Modano would bet a better player than Gator at the same position this year, would probably be a pretty good lift for the third line, and may even experience something of a career rejuvenation back home.  But overall, he would only help short-term, while hindering us long-term when the development of our young players is stunted, or if we lose some of them.  Sure, there will be competition for places in TC in a few years if our forward prospects stay on the fast-track to success.  But are you really trying to tell me that one or two years from now, Abdelkader, Eaves, Miller, and Ritola will not have improved significantly and will be surpassed by players who have yet to play a single NHL game, or in Nyquist’s case, a single pro game?  They are great players at their level currently, but I’ll pass on the prognostication because I’m no goddamn Kreskin.

And don’t forget that Gator’s a hometown boy too, and he bloody well plays like it.  None of this dithering crap.

What everyone seems to be overlooking is Gramps’ stellar suggestion when this whole damn business with Willa Ford’s wife was first mooted: that he be a training camp invitee, and if he makes the cut, THEN you offer him a contract.

Incidentally, this is the first I’ve heard of Willie Mitchell being a potential pickup.  If you’ll indulge my inner braggart, Osrt, you’ll remember that another thing I said is that I wanted to pick him up a few years ago when he was still with Minnesota.  If he’s available at around the $1-$1.5 million that we’re thinking of throwing at Modano, I’d MUCH rather have him.  And we can’t have both.

Babbles’s meritocracy

Bitch, you stole my term.  Don’t make me whip out the copyright agreement the next time we speak in person…

I will be an empty nester, and yes.

Man up, Bill.  God didn’t make eighteen year-old bimbos who love older men with money just to see Donald Trump bag them all.  Gogitcherfloozie.

Go Dutch(!)

I’ll take “Things I tell my wife when she heads out to her extramarital affairs” for $100, Alex?

There’s a reason even Dallas passed on him. They got to watch him every single night and said ‘no thanks’.

Again.  Brett Hull ditching someone, especially when that someone is known for his dedicated two-way play, is in no way a deal-breaker for me.

Chief’s point still stands…At the end of all the talk, Ken Holland’s earned too much GM capital to doubt him spending a little of it once in a while.  He’s made mistakes, but on track record, whatever move he makes will most likely be the best one.  All we can do is watch and see and hope that he does whatever each of us wants done.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 07/07/10 at 10:41 AM ET

Good lord how I’ve missed the 19. Just reading this stuff makes me feel so much better. I don’t care which way or the other that Modano chooses. If it’s with the Wings, great. Fine. Ok. If it’s retirement, cool. He’s had a good career and can be proud of his accomplishments. I just want hockey season to start!!!

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 07/07/10 at 11:03 AM ET

I think the only worry I have is whether he should get a contract before training camp or not.

If he goes into TC with a contract and so does Abby, Helm, Eaves, and Miller and they all fight it out valiantly, but leave Kenny with a tough salary cap choice to part ways with one of them, then there’s a good chance that we at least get decent compensation.

If everybody is in TC with a contract and there are clear-cut winners and losers there, then we probably have to give away a guy or so for free that we know we had to lose just because of one stinking lousy training camp, but that he’s got loads of upside, potentially becoming the next Kyle Quincey (although his new contract softens the blow of this loss in hindsight severely)

If everybody goes to TC with a contract and Modano is the stinky old fish, then nobody is going to trade for him and we just signed a guy for a million dollars that we have to put on waivers and hide in the minors, probably forcing him to retire.  As a note, I don’t know the rules here, but I think if he retires, it still counts against the major club’s cap hit, even if he was waived beforehand.  Please feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.

If everybody goes to TC and Modano doesn’t have a contract and he sucks, then boo hoo, he’s gone and we’re good to go.

If everybody goes to TC and Modano doesn’t have a contract and he’s awesome, then we have to wonder if “It’s Detroit or retirement” really means what we all think it means and whether the Ducks don’t offer him more money *cough cough Bertuzzi redux cough*

If everybody goes to TC and Modano doesn’t have a contract and he’s good enough to earn a spot over another of our guys, then we sign Modano to what I’m hoping is still a decent deal and get rid of whichever guy didn’t earn his spot.

Well, I guess after typing all that out, from a risk/reward standpoint, I’m kinda going in the camp of people who think he should get a camp invite before getting a contract.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/07/10 at 11:04 AM ET

  Holland said. “He wants to talk to people close to him. He’s got to determine if he has the energy, the enthusiasm, the determination and the drive to play again.’’
  Wait, that’s Lidstrom in May, did you pass on him?  He said those same words.
  Posted by RWBill from The bar on The Hasek. v00x! Hurry up Bitch! on 07/07/10 at 09:34 AM ET

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 07/07/10 at 09:44 AM ET

Lidstrom playing uninspired hockey is still - AWESOME hockey.

Mike Modano playing uninspired hockey is - Jason Williams.

Posted by Keyser S. from therealworldforum.com on 07/07/10 at 11:10 AM ET

Just like Tampa watched Miller play and said “no thanks,” right?

Or like how Carolina AND Boston gave a hearty simultaneous “no thanks” to Eaves, right?

Or how like Detroit signed Jason Williams, right? A move I was all for with my blind following. However, we all know how that ended. I’m not comparing Modano to Williams

MM 59GP 14G 16A 30P -16
JW 44GP   6G   9A   15P -7

I mean they’re stats aren’t even close. So why would I compare Modano/Williams. It wouldn’t make any sense to compare Williams/Modano. But I just don’t want Williams/Modano in a Wings uniform.

BTW, I’m not comparing Modano to Williams.

Posted by Keyser S. from therealworldforum.com on 07/07/10 at 11:17 AM ET

If everybody goes to TC and Modano has a contract/doesn’t have a contract/is the stinky old fish/he’s awesome/good enough to earn a spot…

...Does it make a sound?

In all seriousness, JJ, after the Brent Sopel fiasco a few years ago Uncle Mike and Kenny made a change and stipulated that all training camp invitees must sign an agreement that they will not sign with another team until they are released by the Wings.  So if he has an awesome training camp, there’s little danger of him being snatched away unless he wants to face a potential lawsuit for breach of contract (A2Y Lawyers, I need you here), or at least tarnish his good name.

Lidstrom playing uninspired hockey is still - AWESOME hockey.

Mike Modano playing uninspired hockey is - Jason Williams.

Jesus, it’s like Wimbledon all over again.  Serve!  Volley!  Return!  Good points all around!

Now which of you is Maria Sharapova, so that I may mack on you shamelessly?

BTW, I’m not comparing Modano to Williams.

Modano/Williams.  Modano/Williams.  Modano/Williams.  It’s not quite Marat/Sade, but we might be able to have some fun with this, like Mebda/Lebdeech.  Modilliams?  Wildano?

And by the way, just in case any of you think I’m a heartless bastard, I posted my thoughts on Probie on the thread, a little late but still bitter over a life that ended way too damned early.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 07/07/10 at 11:49 AM ET

In all seriousness, JJ, after the Brent Sopel fiasco a few years ago Uncle Mike and Kenny made a change and stipulated that all training camp invitees must sign an agreement that they will not sign with another team until they are released by the Wings.  So if he has an awesome training camp, there’s little danger of him being snatched away unless he wants to face a potential lawsuit for breach of contract (A2Y Lawyers, I need you here), or at least tarnish his good name.

Well, in light of that knowledge, I’m much more amenable to the thought that he should get a TC invite before getting a contract, since my biggest worry would remain that he would be awesome and then sign elsewhere.

I have a lot of respect for Modano and as a Dallas Star or a member of Team USA, he has nothing to prove.  However, as a Red Wing, he has everything to prove.  Even agreeing to come to camp without a contract would go a long way towards showing me that the man’s got the right Wings-first attitude.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/07/10 at 11:58 AM ET

This is my case for Modano, as voiced by Kyle at Babcock’s Death Stare. Contend with that.

Posted by Osrt on 07/07/10 at 12:04 PM ET

This is a timeless scenario to get the best out of someone that The Franchise has successfully implemented before.

This is exactly right.

And Keyser, hold on, I’ma let you finish.  But Mike Modano is the greatest American hockey forward of all time… of all time.

For the record though, I would say that even if he is playing uninspired hockey to say that he would be like Jason Williams would be just downright rude.

BTW, this whole response is loaded with sarcasm.

Posted by ITDeuce from The Land of Ice and Snow on 07/07/10 at 12:30 PM ET

I’ll give Kyle one thing: the fourth line is the ideal place for Gator to learn wing play and adjust to that position, as there’s no pressure.  He shouldn’t be on the wing on the third line if we want it to be a scoring line.  He’s either third-line center, fourth-line winger, or in GR.

But I contend that you owe me a scoop of waldmeister ice cream in a cone if it’s that damned hot the next time I come visit you.  Seriously, would it kill you to shack up with Sophia in the fall?

Oh, and Kyle doesn’t really address the elephant in the room:

Ericsson | Kindl

If Ericsson struggles again, do you really think that’s a stable third pairing that we can rely on for ten to twelve minutes a night?  The money we’re thinking of spending on Modano would be better spent on a stay-at-home third-pairing defenseman like Mitchell.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 07/07/10 at 12:34 PM ET

eaves just signed. very interesting…

Posted by Twig in Houston from Houston, TX on 07/07/10 at 12:38 PM ET

Twitter is abuzz right now with news that Eaves has signed a one-year deal.

Details later.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/07/10 at 12:39 PM ET

Oh, and Kyle doesn’t really address the elephant in the room:

Ericsson | Kindl

that is scary looking, but…

ericsson | kronwall
stuart | kindl

isn’t so bad.

Posted by Twig in Houston from Houston, TX on 07/07/10 at 12:42 PM ET

wow this is my first post in a while.  good to see the FA rumblings are getting the band back together around here.

I have two words to say about all this:  Modano.  Yes.

is he at the end of his career?  yes.  does he have the ability he used to?  no.  does he strike me as the aging Hull/Yzerman/Chelios type of player who adjusts his game to make up for a loss of “legs” and knows more about the game, and how to be in the right spot at the right time, than just about anyone else on the ice?  absofrigginglutely.

remember, Babcock isn’t going to play Modano like he’s 25-year-old Modano.  he’s going to play him like he’s 40-year-old Modano.  I see him coming in and fitting right into a system that lets him ending his career with an offensive bang.

the bottom line for me is that I really just have a gut feeling Modano would fit VERY well with this Wings team and the system.

some have said why would we want him if Dallas, who saw him play every day, doesn’t want him.  well, do you think everything was peachy-keen all year and then all of a sudden one day they cut him loose?  I don’t.  Modano knew they didn’t want him, for at least most of the season.  he knew he didn’t fit their future plans.  that doesn’t do much for motivating a player.

now, coming home to play out your career in a city that bleeds hockey, not only strives for but flat-out EXPECTS the Cup every year, and do it in front of your family and friends in your home town?  M-O-T-I-V-A-T-E-D.

and as the Chief said, if the brain trust is on board, who the F am I to question them?

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 07/07/10 at 12:43 PM ET

Reading this I am reminded of the ol’ e. f. hutton commercial from my youth, ‘cept, a little different…

When Tick Tock speaks, people listen.

Posted by TheRealYooper from within sight of the edge of the Earth. on 07/07/10 at 12:52 PM ET

In other, more hilarious signing newses, Jeff Schultz got $2.75M per year to be the only man back on odd-man rushes 20 times a season thanks to Mike Green making mistakes at opponents’ blue lines and Evgeni Nabokov has signed with the KHL.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/07/10 at 12:55 PM ET

Patrick Eaves. One year, $750k.

Posted by mrfluffy from Long Beach on 07/07/10 at 12:59 PM ET

D’oh…Paul already posted it on the main page.

Posted by mrfluffy from Long Beach on 07/07/10 at 01:00 PM ET

Holy damn, I missed those posts where a) I read it, b) love it, c) think of something to say and finally d) discover that everyone said what I think.

Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 07/07/10 at 01:01 PM ET

There’s a reason even Dallas passed on him. They got to watch him every single night and said ‘no thanks’.

Posted by Keyser S. on 07/07/10 at 09:00 AM ET

Of course there are reasons Dallas passed on him. But you’re automatically assuming they were related to him being a crappy hockey player.

Let’s consider that Hicks HAS to sell the team. I mean, literally, he has to sell them, otherwise the lenders from his Liverpool deal will come for his head. Saddled with mediocre contracts for the likes of Brad Richards (though he did have a bit of a resurrection last season) and Mike “Alfonso” Ribeiro, along with money still coming off the books from the Sean Avery debacle, they need to cut money where they can.

Add into that the fact that if they want to be a good team any time this decade they have RFAs due for raises—Neal, Grossman, Niskanen. They need to run as lean as they can on payroll without throwing away young players. So of course the 40 year old guy with an expiring contract… they aren’t interested in bringing him back.

Having a veteran player like Modano, cheap as he may come, is generally a luxury the better teams look for. The Stars, for business reasons, are more interested in finding someone that can play for half of what Modano will likely ultimately earn. Hockey ability of that player is secondary.

Seriously though, I’ve kinda said it already.  He’s said he didn’t want a League-minimum deal to play third-line minutes with limited PP time in Dallas.  So why does he want the same thing in Detroit?  It wouldn’t make any sense.

Who is he playing with on that Dallas third line? Maybe more importantly, who is playing on the first two lines for Dallas? And who’s keeping the puck out of the net??? If I was going to play for the Stars, hell yes, I’d want more money from them than I would a team like the Wings because I know that I’m not going to win a damn thing.

And as you all well know, most of us being Michigan transplants… going home is special. I miss Michigan, I know most of you do, too. If my wife and I were financially set later in life, with a job offer to bring us back home, even if it were for lower money, I’d want to do it.

Everyone is just assuming that Dallas shuffled the guy out and said they didn’t want him because he blows. Nobody is considering that perhaps Dallas, with their business problems, gave him an offer of what they could afford, and he determined that he could either A) get better money elsewhere, B) get a better chance to win elsewhere, C) both A and B, or D) equal or slightly less money, but a chance to win and be an icon in his hometown.

And signing him before we know what he can bring would be a bad idea.

Disagree. It’s a lot like the Williams deal last year (imagine this… in a roundabout way I will compare Modano to Williams in a positive light).

You needed to fill a spot on the team, specifically, a guy that can provide some goals from the point on the power play. You gave a guy a one-year deal worth a million bucks. Williams obviously didn’t work out, mostly due to injury, but had he just been awful while healthy, who cares? The contract was a one-year deal, with a player that could easily be buried in AHL or pawned off onto another team. With the financial resources the Wings have, this is a safe play. Take a chance on Williams, if he works, great, if he doesn’t, no big deal, we make his cap hit disappear and can afford to eat the fraction of a million that we have to pay for him to do nothing.

It’s the exact same with Modano. Maybe even easier because he’s at the age where he’s close to retirement. So if things aren’t working well for him, retirement is a serious possibility. In fact, I trust Ken Holland was smart enough to discuss things frankly with Modano, and say that, “Look, if things aren’t working, we’re going to need the cap space—I don’t expect that to happen, and I know you don’t, but are you prepared to deal with the consequences if you don’t perform at the level we need?”

As for actually comparing Modano and Williams as hockey players, you’ve got to be kidding me. He’s the best American hockey player EVER, and there’s not even much room for debate on that (a little, but not much). He’s got great regular season numbers and good playoff numbers.

Modano has always been a hard working, while Jason Williams only works hard when the puck is on his stick and he sees nothing between himself and the net. Modano can still skate, and has the smarts and discipline to play in your PK forward rotation if need be. The other team is awarded a goal automatically if Jason Williams steps on the ice during a PK. Check the NHL rulebook, it’s says that.

And perhaps most importantly, even if his numbers stay in the 15-15-30 range, Modano is a guy whose work ethic and hockey smarts make his linemates better. Williams has never made another player better at the NHL level (in a lot of cases, he’s made them look worse because he’s so woeful anywhere other than the offensive circles). Modano’s skating ability through the middle opens a lot of ice for a shooter like Hudler. And between he and Cleary, it gives that third line a huge defensive upgrade over what it was last year, even when the club was healthy. It gives Babcock a third line he can feel comfortable playing for 15 minutes per game, instead of playing the top guys 20+ minutes per night.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 07/07/10 at 01:02 PM ET

If Ericsson struggles again, do you really think that’s a stable third pairing that we can rely on for ten to twelve minutes a night?  The money we’re thinking of spending on Modano would be better spent on a stay-at-home third-pairing defenseman like Mitchell.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 07/07/10 at 12:34 PM ET

I get what you’re saying, but the problem here is the same as it is with Abdelkader—you’re wasting a prospect you’ve invested a lot in in both Kindl and Abdelkader if you don’t play them. They are out of options. So at the very least, Kindl has to be in the top six, and Abdelkader in the top 12, for a few dozen games to see how it goes. The only thing that’s certain is if those two don’t play, they’ll never be good.

So, Willie Mitchell sounds great… but then who’s your #7? If you make Ericsson the #7, that’s an admission that he is what he showed first half, last season, and not the player he’s been in the playoffs with this club. If you make Kindl the #7, that’s an admission that he was rated way too highly, and you screwed up.

Which is fine… if either of those things are true, you have to move on ASAP and end the experiment, but I don’t think those things are true, and I think the club still has huge expectations for Ericsson and Kindl. As such, they are forced to play both at the NHL level this season. I’m sure it’ll pain Babcock to do, but both those guys need at least 12 minutes per night.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 07/07/10 at 01:09 PM ET

MM just needs to work it out with Willa.
Posted by w2j2

You’ve got that backwards.

This is Hockey…
Willa just needs to work it out with MM.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 07/07/10 at 01:09 PM ET

Imagine The Flying Circus together every night.  There isn’t a defense that can contain them all night long.  When together they are often the most dominant line in the entire NHL on both ends of the ice.

Babcock has hated having to split them up, and when the team needs a jump start they are reunited.

What if that line could stay together every night?  What a nightmare for every Bettman-watered down-talent team in the league.  But, how can Detroit make that happen?

Answer:  Mike Modano.  He provides high quality, smooth, fast, center for Detroit’s third line, AND allows Datsyuk and Zetterberg to absolutely dominant games together start to finish, every night. Together their combined point production will exceed what it would be if they were forced to continue to play apart, and the Wings move back to near the top of the league in scoring from what last year with no Flying Circus was sometimes near the bottom.

Stop looking at Modano as an isolated issue.  The Wings see him as the classic valuable asset that will make
the whole team better.  With Modano, and thus The Flying Circus together full time, the Wings Total becomes bigger than the sum of the individual parts.

Some DoucheLord yesterday used the phrase “create dynamic offensive synergy”.  That’s what Modano will provide for Detroit, above and beyond his still very accomplished individual skill.

With Modano centering the third line the other skill players get bumped up together and become a feeding frenzy.  Without Modano The Flying Circus disbands and everyone drops down a level, diluting the talent
across three lines because none of The Four Jets are ready to center a third line.

Modano doesn’t merely make a third line better, he makes ALL THREE lines better.

This is why Jimmy Devellano says “We really want him.”

Posted by RWBill from the Capital of the Confederacy. on 07/07/10 at 01:13 PM ET

Hello Chief… welcome back.  Burl Ives here checking in.  Modano will be a Wing… or he’ll retire.  Willie Mitchell signing, while it’s a good thought, won’t be happening.  He won’t sign for a mil or less like Modo will.  I’m also thinking that MM will be getting incentive clauses that kick in based on performance. (If it’s allowed under the CBA)  This will all be settled by the time the season starts so let’s sit back and watch Kenny work his magic.  Besides… what the eff do any of us really have to do with this other than opinions?

Posted by calquake on 07/07/10 at 01:18 PM ET

That’s what I’m saying too cal quake, we fans hear news about Modano and think “Modano”.  Babcock sees Modano and thinks “Modano, Franzen, Filppula, and The Flying Circus”, big picture stuff.

Posted by RWBill from the Capital of the Confederacy. on 07/07/10 at 01:26 PM ET