Abel to Yzerman
Mike…We Know The Feeling
by IwoCPO on 07/10/10 at 11:36 AM ET
Comments (52)
Ok. Now it’s looking a bit like a Pronger thing, eh Oiler fans?
Via George at Snapshots and the San Jose Mercury News,
A Sharks source confirms the team indeed has had contact with free agent Mike Modano, but won’t say which side made the initial phone call.
He called San Jose and we know he did. He called them so that, and this is something the males who don’t live in Denver will understand, he can turn to his wife and say, “I tried. For you, for our family, for the love of all that is good in our home and shit, I tried. I tried to get us to California but roster and cap and system stuff…you wouldn’t understand. I’ll be in Michigan. Talk soon. Bye.”
Mike, she’s blonde. Talk fast and don’t blink. The world will be yours.
Here’s what we can assume: Mike Modano, if it was all about hockey, winning Cups and closing his career with professional satisfaction, would have signed with Detroit already. But it isn’t. Back to George and a bit he pulled from Heika.
I do know that being in California would be helpful for his personal life.
That, I think, is putting it mildly.
Oh, and I’ve seen the stuff about Minnesota too. Not. Gonna. Happen. If he’s gonna leave his family for a cold weather climate, it would be Detroit, where he can win. Not Minnesota for a week of old-time sake fun, then seven months of losing. Nope.
I still think the competitor in Modano is gonna drive him back to Michigan. But San Jose could happen, too. I can see it. A contender in California? A perfect family compromise for him if that’s what he’s looking for. But at this point the married guys among us know that he’s starting to get a feeling many of us know all too well. This whole thing, all the aggravation, may not be worth the consequence and the BS he’s gonna have to deal with the next year. It might just be easier to hang ‘em up and move on.
Tick Tock Mikey. Tick frigging Tock. We got shit to do, roster issues to deal with, parades to plan. Get this thing done already.
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Comments
Anyone remember when his wife said San Jose was “the most hostile place” to be as a visiting fan? Pah!
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/10/10 at 12:11 PM ET
I do believe that a certain portion of Mrs. Modano would become a “hostile place” if Mike signed with the Winged Wheel…
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 07/10/10 at 12:14 PM ET
I’m not trolling, I’m genuinely interested, since “if it was all about hockey and winning Cups” then Detroit is the obvious place as opposed to San Jose. What do Wings fans think the chances of the team winning a Cup this year is? Was last year just a hiccup, an aberration? Do you feel the team is still a contender? Do you believe they are closer to winning a Cup than, for example, San Jose, going into this upcoming season?
Posted by Snap Wilson on 07/10/10 at 12:28 PM ET
Snap,
I don’t want to say aberration really, because injuries and officiating are always a team’s biggest obstacle. I think the Wings were a better team than they showed against the Sharks in the 2nd round, but there’s no doubt they needed to play better. The Sharks didn’t expose a general team weakness that was apparent in some other teams as they were eliminated in the first, 2nd, or 3rd rounds of the playoffs. That was one of the closest 5-game series I think you’ll see.
I think the Wings remain a strong cup competitor and get a little stronger with Modano.
Compared to San Jose, I think our top d-men are better and we have better overall defensive depth. I think we have better two-way forwards and, at this point, our goaltending is much better.
I’d say that right now, even without Modano, the Red Wings match favorably to any team in the West and that the West overall still matches favorably to the East, so the Wings are my early-offseason favorites for the cup next June. I may be a homer for it, but you asked a homer opinion and you got it.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/10/10 at 12:37 PM ET
Yes, because, you see, San Jose will never win the cup. They’re chokers. Ergo, everyone else in the league has a better shot at the cup than San Jose. It’s simple logic.
Posted by John from Pittsburgh, PA (Wings fan for life!) on 07/10/10 at 12:39 PM ET
How about this to assure peace tranquility and domestic bliss
( assuming that that’s even possible???)
Chelli has a place in Malibu overlooking the Pacific. So, I say Mr. I calls up our old buddy #24 , and offers to rent out his swanky pad for the entire Fall/Winter season. Then Mikey’s blonde aspiring actress misses can stroll the sandy beach of Malibu , where she will be “discovered” by a talent scout for the upcoming remake of “Baywatch”.
Mike is happy winning a Cup and calling it a career in Motown and the wifey is living the good life in Calli, with visits from Mikey every other month because of Gary’s screwed up schedule which has the Wings making 5 West Coast trips per season.
.......Seems pretty simple to me.
Posted by Down River Dan on 07/10/10 at 12:53 PM ET
Two days before the wine-and-dine in the D, MM tells NHL.com he is interested in San Jose, Los Angeles, Anaheim and Phoenix…
Two days later in a media session in Motown it’s “Detroit or retire”...
Now it’s possibly Minnesota and well, maybe San Jose…and who knows? Maybe LA will call…anyone else starting to sense we might be dealing with a flake?
Surely Kenny has Willie Mitchell’s agent on speed dial!
Posted by WestWing from Portland, Oregon on 07/10/10 at 01:01 PM ET
Tick Tock Mikey. Tick frigging Tock. We got shit to do, roster issues to deal with, parades to plan.
LOL, oh I missed you.
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 07/10/10 at 01:01 PM ET
What I said (offtopic then, of course) on the last thread:
Maybe I’m too “sentimental”, but can I be mad at Minnesota and San Jose for going after a guy who said “Detroit or retirement”? And, if he signs if any of them, can I be mad at him? Come the fuch on, we flied you home, got you to a baseball game, even Babcock’s father was here*.
That said, I don’t think he’d sign with the Wild(s), they’re definetely not contenders, so he wouldn’t retire with a Cup. But I think the Sharks are a possibility. They have a shot at the Cup (haha, I know) and are in motherfuching California to please his wife.
Again, that said, I’d feel 3% betrayed and 97% relieved, since a Modano-less Red Wings team wouldn’t hold out the development of Helm and Abdelkader (and I don’t care about Ritola, not now, not when he gets 145 pts playing for Atlanta or something loke that).
Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 07/10/10 at 01:05 PM ET
I do know that being in California would be helpful for his personal life.
The two most important words any man will learn: “Yes Dear”.
Putting that aside, if Modano drags this out for any more than a couple of weeks than I don’t want him. We don’t need drama in Detroit, we need commitment.
Posted by calquake on 07/10/10 at 01:08 PM ET
Hah, I bet Modano would retire when he first started going through this thought process.
He has the option of going through off-season training (and he’s the only one who knows how much he dislikes that, but I’ll bet it’s quite a bit), the grind and nicks and bruises of a full season complete with the western conference travel with which he is familiar from his many previous seasons, and possibly a bunch of playoff games (for no guaranteed happy ending anyway) - or leave with his health intact, the memory of a moving sendoff, and not having to go through the hassle any more.
Honestly, if someone offered any of us free food and a Tiger game wouldn’t we talk nice and pretend to be interested, too? 
(Or maybe that just sounds like a fun date to me and not to anyone else.)
He’s waffling because the games themselves are enjoyable, the winning is fun, and I’m sure he’d like to win another Cup to top off a career, but at the same time losing in the playoffs sucks, the travel is a pain, and training for the season is boring. I think he comes down on the side of retirement eventually. Detroit should just wait a few more days then move on with their collective hockey life and try to possibly find a needed defenseman instead. 
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/10/10 at 01:14 PM ET
I understand all about the “happy wife, happy life” concept—believe me, if anyone on earth understands that, it would be me!...
What I don’t get is making rather bold, rather declaritive statements in a very public way to the media only to contradict them shortly thereafter…all personal-life issues aside, when someone starts doing that (especially when that individual has had many years to gain an understanding of how this whole media thing works) then I assume a) they’ve become media-savvy enough that we’re being played a bit, or b) they’re a total flake…
Hell, maybe he just wants to be the NHL’s version of Brett Favre…
Anyway, I’ve said all along that while I love the idea of a playmaking center on the third line and what that would do for the team’s depth, a solid defensive-zone D-man who can kill penalties and move the puck effectively is the one off-season aquisition that would really make me ecstatic…
Like the Chief says, Tick Tock Mikey!
Posted by WestWing from Portland, Oregon on 07/10/10 at 01:35 PM ET
When Holland first confirmed he was persuing MM,
my comment was that I had always thought of Modano as a bit of a nut case.
Now this:
July 10, Dallas News: This will be interesting. Modano said the other day that the comment that it was Detroit or nothing was probably too strongly worded.
Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 07/10/10 at 01:36 PM ET
What I don’t get is making rather bold, rather declaritive statements in a very public way to the media only to contradict them shortly thereafter…all personal-life issues aside, when someone starts doing that (especially when that individual has had many years to gain an understanding of how this whole media thing works) then I assume a) they’ve become media-savvy enough that we’re being played a bit, or b) they’re a total flake…
Ding-ding-ding! I choose choice B.
The man’s a bit of an airhead. Nothing wrong with that, but expect some flightyness and waffling. It’s typical of the type.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/10/10 at 01:38 PM ET
Please let him go to San Jose, its a win-win situation. He keeps the missus happy (he wins) and he doesn’t come to Detroit (we win).
Posted by HMB Wing from Bay Area on 07/10/10 at 01:39 PM ET
Mike Modano has been considered flaky for a while. Wasn’t it a few years ago he spent the summer in Mexico trying to figure out whether he wanted to play hockey anymore? Hell, the Stars may have let him go just so they wouldn’t have to deal with the “Will he or won’t he” saga we’re currently dealing with.
Personally I think the Wings can sign the RFA’s they need to keep and have enough cap space left in reserve just in case Mike decides to play in Detroit.
Whatever happened to Willie Mitchell?
Posted by monkey from lighting my nuts on fire on 07/10/10 at 02:22 PM ET
Come on, San Jose. Give him an offer he can’t refuse!
Posted by Garth on 07/10/10 at 02:56 PM ET
Haha. I’m glad there are varying opinions on this issue. Anyone remember back to last year when we signed Toddberculosis? It was hilarious, but we were all of the same mind. Some more passionate than others, of course, but we stood united. I think the ones most passionate were the ones affected most closely by his heinous crimes.
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/10/10 at 03:10 PM ET
I think the ones most passionate were the ones affected most closely by his heinous crimes.
*sniff* my puppy still can’t walk right… *sniff*
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/10/10 at 03:18 PM ET
It was hilarious, but we were all of the same mind.
not me
Posted by edillac from isolation on 07/10/10 at 03:21 PM ET
Whatever happened to Willie Mitchell?
-monkeyPosted by monkey from bat country on 07/10/10 at 02:22 PM ET
Not going to happen. The organization likes Kindl and Ericsson too much to have them spend the season on the bench. They might sign a veteran #7 defenseman, but they’re not going to get a starter.
Posted by Chris in A^2 from Nyquist Puck Control on 07/10/10 at 03:33 PM ET
It was hilarious, but we were all of the same mind.
not me
Posted by edillac on 07/10/10 at 03:21 PM ET
Me either. Still not.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/10/10 at 04:39 PM ET
Whatever happened to Willie Mitchell?
Hell, I’m still flying the flag for him. Sounds like a few more people are now that not only would Modano be a worse acquisition, he’d be a tougher one…
Honestly, if someone offered any of us free food and a Tiger game wouldn’t we talk nice and pretend to be interested, too?
(Or maybe that just sounds like a fun date to me and not to anyone else.)
A free hot meal and tix for the Granderson-less Tigers? Damn Baroque, you’re a cheap date. If I’d known that… 
Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 07/10/10 at 05:17 PM ET
A free hot meal and tix for the Granderson-less Tigers? Damn Baroque, you’re a cheap date. If I’d known that…
Five words:
Justin Verlander and Brennan Boesch.
LOVE THEM.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/10/10 at 06:22 PM ET
Please make it stop. Bitches.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 07/10/10 at 07:05 PM ET
My question is if he signs with Minny or SJ, what kind of reception will he have the first time he plays here after the Detroit or retirement quote? I mean even if he says now that the comment may have been too strongly worded, you can’t stuff the crap back in the goose. “Detroit or retirement” is the quote that everyone will remember.
Posted by Hap from Grand Rapids, MI on 07/10/10 at 07:29 PM ET
July 10, Dallas News: This will be interesting. Modano said the other day that the comment that it was Detroit or nothing was probably too strongly worded.
Posted by HockeyTownTodd
Well, that went bust quick eh?
No matter. On to the next one. Peace out Mikey.
Posted by Osrt on 07/10/10 at 07:31 PM ET
It was hilarious, but we were all of the same mind.
not me
Posted by edillac on 07/10/10 at 03:21 PM ET
Me either. Still not.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/10/10 at 04:39 PM ET
Now now, don’t be modest. We were all upset with the hiring of employee No. 44. Could be worse though. He could have followed through with his plan to bomb the San Fransisco Bay Area with VX-Poison gas from a terrorist controlled hideout on Alcatraz.
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/10/10 at 07:39 PM ET
Could be worse though. He could have followed through with his plan to bomb the San Fransisco Bay Area with VX-Poison gas from a terrorist controlled hideout on Alcatraz.
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/10/10 at 07:39 PM ET
You take that back, sir. Ed Harris is a true American hero and a warrior. He was just fighting for the honor of the men who died overseas doing the work that his government couldn’t admit they were doing.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/10/10 at 07:45 PM ET
You take that back, sir. Ed Harris is a true American hero and a warrior. He was just fighting for the honor of the men who died overseas doing the work that his government couldn’t admit they were doing.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/10/10 at 07:45 PM ET
The one flaw in his plan was not having flamier flames in his furnace contraption that featured a weasel hole and gears turning amidst periodic fireballs.
Favourite scene of that movie to re-enact at parties whilst obliterated:
“You give that order!”
“I cannot give that order!”
“You give that order, soldier!”
“I cannot give that order!”
“YOU GIVE THAT ORDER!”
“I CANNOT GIVE THAT ORDER!”
It’s like “you can’t handle the truth” on steroids, times a thousand, directed by Michael Bay, with Bruckheimer-esque rock-and-roll tunes in the background.
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/10/10 at 07:52 PM ET
Oh wait, it’s not like that, it is that.
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/10/10 at 08:03 PM ET
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/10/10 at 08:03 PM ET
I really don’t know what kind of person I would have grown up to be if it weren’t for terrible Scottish accents everywhere telling me that losers always whined about their best while winners went home and f*cked the prom queen.
Uhhh… blah blah Mike Modano
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/10/10 at 08:11 PM ET
The organization likes Kindl and Ericsson too much to have them spend the season on the bench.
I feel the exact opposite way. I think they like Kindl & Ericsson and want/need them to succeed so much that they have to get some sort of stable, consistent, dependable guy to shepherd these two to where they should be.
They saw how Ericsson played with Lebda last year and how he was instantly better when he was playing with Lilja, and I can’t imagine they’re pleased with the thought of Ericsson being the veteran on the pairing. And, since they seem insistent on not rearranging any of the other pairings in order to provide two rookies with veteran mentors, they need to find someone to be the stable presence.
Posted by Garth on 07/10/10 at 09:12 PM ET
honestly I say give Janik his shot. He was steady when up last year and he dropped the gloves too, bring him in. I’m sure he knows E and will feel comfortable with him for a dependable d-man.
Posted by HockeytownOverhaul on 07/10/10 at 09:26 PM ET
I feel the exact opposite way. I think they like Kindl & Ericsson and want/need them to succeed so much that they have to get some sort of stable, consistent, dependable guy to shepherd these two to where they should be.
They saw how Ericsson played with Lebda last year and how he was instantly better when he was playing with Lilja, and I can’t imagine they’re pleased with the thought of Ericsson being the veteran on the pairing. And, since they seem insistent on not rearranging any of the other pairings in order to provide two rookies with veteran mentors, they need to find someone to be the stable presence.
-Garth
The funny thing about Ericsson playing better when paired with Lilja is that’s what the wings say about Kindl; that he looks a lot better when he his partner doesn’t suck. Maybe they are going to split the rookies up.
I agree that it would be better for the team to have a veteran D man on the third pairing, it just doesn’t fit into what the wings do with player development. The guys they bring up to the NHL get played, or they get sent back to the AHL. They don’t get brought up to develop from the press box.
Posted by Chris in A^2 from Nyquist Puck Control on 07/10/10 at 09:57 PM ET
Here’s another angle on the quote. The reason he said “it’s either Detroit or nothing” is because at the time it was documented that Detroit WAS the only team that had contacted him.
If he wants to play hockey with a chance at winning, Detroit is the best place and we’ll all be better off for it, especially The Flying Circus.
The fact that Detroit, Jr., now shows interest in Modano is verification yet again of whom they look to as the model franchise.
Posted by RWBill from the Capital of the Confederacy. on 07/10/10 at 11:04 PM ET
Maybe they are going to split the rookies up.
I think it would be the best move, but if they didn’t split up Ericsson and Lebda when they were sinking up the joint, why would they do it now?
that’s what the wings say about Kindl; that he looks a lot better when he his partner doesn’t suck.
Exactly the reason to bring in a vet.
The guys they bring up to the NHL get played, or they get sent back to the AHL. They don’t get brought up to develop from the press box.
Derek Meech might argue with you about that. Ritola and Kindl are out of AHL options, so they can’t be sent down. They’re in the same boat as Jimmah was last year. He was given the chance but he wasn’t handed the keys. He took them from Osgood. They’ll both play, but Babcock said there were going to expect 20 minutes a night from Ericsson and I can’t imagine they’re going to just put all their faith in two young studs to play a third of every game. That also doesn’t seem to be the Wings’ style.
Also, before the Modano thing came up the main thing Holland was looking for was a veteran 3rd pairing defenseman.
Posted by Garth on 07/10/10 at 11:33 PM ET
Mike, she’s blonde. Talk fast and don’t blink. The world will be yours.
A bit late to the party, but I missed ya Chief.
Posted by cephalopod from Chicago...nope, still not over it. on 07/10/10 at 11:41 PM ET
Well it’s been awhile since the May of Suck. Glad to have you back aboard the USS A to Y Chief. This summer seems to be lagging along. Especially here in the steamy south. I am very glad that this blog has finally kicked into gear . I was ready to fire up the defibulator here until the Chief knocked out 11 new threads.
My 2 cents for the signings so far:
Lids,Eaves,and Miller back is great news. Bert. Not so much. I hope he proves me wrong , but his money could of been of better use with the core guys or another defensman. I’m still on the fence with Modono. One of the weird things about him is losing his captaincy a few years ago but remaing on the team. I can’t ever recall that ever happening to a player before. Especially of his status.I hope we have an answer in a week or 2.
What’s the difference between a blonde and a pair of glasses? The pair of glasses fits on your face. Bodda-Bing.
I know it’s a bit late but congrats to WFIBL for the birth of your twins. I hope they are doing well.
Come on October. That is about the time when the weather gets comfortable around here again.
Posted by cigar_nurse from Greenville South Cakalakee on 07/11/10 at 12:11 AM ET
ne of the weird things about him is losing his captaincy a few years ago but remaing on the team.
Does anyone remember his behavior in the Olympics in Turin? His leadership there was also amiss, and I know the Detroit Red Wings and Team USA of the Turin Games are totally different animals, but his bouncing early and bashing the management really peeved me. Come to think of it, I don’t actually like him a whole hell of a lot. But it would be nice to have him for a season for about the same price as one and a half nights with his wife…I mean late night tv talk show appearances…of course…
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/11/10 at 01:47 AM ET
I’m still on the fence with Modano. One of the weird things about him is losing his captaincy a few years ago but remaing on the team. I can’t ever recall that ever happening to a player before.
Paging Patrick Marleau…
Posted by WestWing from Portland, Oregon on 07/11/10 at 02:07 AM ET
Vincent Lecavalier also lost his captaincy for a time, but that was clearly a case of it being given to him when he was far too young and a bad decision by the team.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/11/10 at 06:52 AM ET
I think Modano’s “fun storyline” comment to Stars beat writer Richard Durrett is more than just a quote though. I really feel that he’d be very excited about coming to play specifically here. I felt back in April that Modano was dropping lots of hints that if he continued playing, he’d want it to be here. I just never sensed the interest was reciprocated, and frankly it wasn’t until the last few days.
Hints? Huh? I have wanted to “be” a few places in life. Minnesota never really made the top 50 on that list. Always looked at it as a “Cleveland without all the glitz” kinda place. Maybe I’m missing something…..
Posted by Rumbear from Top O da Hasek, preparing on 07/11/10 at 11:38 AM ET
The two most important words any man will learn: “Yes Dear”.
Posted by calquake on 07/10/10 at 01:08 PM ET
Sissy.
And Mikey Modo too. A cheap rental for a curtain call shouldn’t be so dramatic.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 07/11/10 at 07:29 PM ET
C’mon Mike, I remember you from NHL -99 you where unstoppable, all five players did hit you hard but you scored anyway.
Score now, sign for Detroit we have parades to plan.
Posted by Lucce from Kingdom of Zweden on 07/12/10 at 05:59 AM ET
doesn’t what’s best for HIS career matter to HER?
and no, I’m not married….
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 07/12/10 at 09:41 AM ET
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I say move on… it was a mildly intriguing proposition, but I’m over it.
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 07/10/10 at 12:10 PM ET