2011 Stanley Cup In Modano's Sights ?
The Detroit Redwings just got a little bit deeper with their depth. The Wings have just come to an agreement with free agent Mike Modano. This decision came right after his old Dallas Stars teammate signed in Chicago. They both are actually on a golf trip together with friends in Scotland. I hope they realize the kind of rivalry that they just entered themselves in, and on opposing sides.
Modano played his past 20 seasons with the Stars organization, even back to the days when they were known as the Minnesota North Stars. Modano will now be playing for his hometown team being a native of Livonia, Michigan. "It was alot of back and forth internally, but i ultimately decided that i wasn't ready to hang up the skate, so I'm going to Detroit," Modano told Scoreboard monthly, The Dallas sports magazine that first reported the move.
Modano spoke with the Minnesota Wild and the San Jose Sharks but in the end he was convinced to go to the motor-city by former Wings like Brett Hull and current Wings players. After hearing about how great of a organization the Red Wings are, He made his choice.
This was a nice low cost and low risk move by the Wings. He will be playing on the third line with some limited Power-play time, Although that is not set yet. Having Modano on your third line is definitely not a downgrade over any players that were on that line last year for the Wings. He may even get some good chemistry going with any of the many talented players in that locker room. If Modano can return to even half of the player that he has been during his stunning career then this is a steal for the Wings.
Although i personally wanted Modano to start this season as a Blackhawk, I don't see him returning to his old form. He still can be very effective though. It's gonna be weird seeing him in any other number besides 9. He will get to play Turco in the Hawks home opener as the Redwings will come to Chicago to watch the banner ceremony of raising the Stanley Cup banner before the puck drop.