136 replies to this topic

[HankthaTank]

You posted lines... and didn't make a new thread to do so...

Victory of the evening in the LGW world.

[EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

I'm conflicted about this. On one hand I'd love to see him finish his career in Michigan. On the other hand I feel like the bottom 6 needs to stay open for young players to prove themselves. Wouldn't it be cool if Mursak or Tatar could play themselves onto the 3rd line in camp and the preseason? It's a long shot but it's virtually impossible once you add yet another NHL forward to the mix.

This move really makes the most sense if the Wings don't keep one or both of Miller and Eaves. Of course that would mean Modano would have to log a lot of PP time as well.

I'm really hoping one of the young offensive prospects will play his way onto the team in camp and make an impact early.

Perhaps the ideal situation would be Holland to offer him a training camp tryout.

Edited by EZBAKETHAGANGSTA, 01 July 2010 - 10:00 PM.

[magicaldatsyuk]

I'm conflicted about this. On one hand I'd love to see him finish his career in Michigan. On the other hand I feel like the bottom 6 needs to stay open for young players to prove themselves. Wouldn't it be cool if Mursak or Tatar could play themselves onto the 3rd line in camp and the preseason? It's a long shot but it's virtually impossible once you add yet another NHL forward to the mix.

This move really makes the most sense if the Wings don't keep one or both of Miller and Eaves. Of course that would mean Modano would have to log a lot of PP time as well.

I'm really hoping one of the young offensive prospects will play his way onto the team in camp and make an impact early.

i agree with the idea of a younger guy like tatar playing his way up next year possibly because we all know how much potential the kid has. i really want to see him in the NHL as soon as possible.

[Superman54]

f*** if it would work or not, I just want The Mouse here.

Plus Huds could potentially be pretty good with Modano, then imagine what that 2nd PP could do. Also Franzen would help, getting so much rest.

SHEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTT

Edited by Superman54, 01 July 2010 - 09:20 PM.

[haroldsnepsts]

Ordinarily I would agree... but I think Modano would be different. Clear cut case where intangiables outweigh the numbers. His motivation would be huge. Especially because he wants to stay in the Western Conference. Holland would be a fool to turn him down at 1 mill imo. That skill set for 1 mill... total bargain on every level. Bag picking up a defenseman for a season. Holland has already implied that we don't really need one THAT bad.

At 1 million, it would be tempting. But I still don't know the intangibles are worth it. I guess I'd just like the Wings to pick up a few tangibles, like a solid D man and someone who will drop the gloves.

And Holland's implication aside, exactly what is our bottom pairing right now? Ericsson Meech?

[Z and D for the C]

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2010/07/another_quick_quip_from_hollan.html

Holland acknowledges our interest in modano in that link...

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom
Franzen-Filppula-Bertuzzi
Hudler-Modano-Cleary
Abdelkader-Helm-Eaves/Miller/Draper/Ritola

looks like a stanley cup team to me.

There is no doubt it is. That third line could potentially get 60 goals. That is cup winning depth. PLEASE GET MODANO KENNY.

[Bannedforlife]

Not what the Wings need, but I certainly wouldn't complain about it. I'd rather see Modano signed than Maltby.

This is so right on.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros]

Don't get me wrong,I love Malts,but if he re-signs,I'm gonna need a year supply of Heineken.

[HankthaTank]

Don't get me wrong,I love Malts,but if he re-signs,I'm gonna need a year supply of Heineken.

And Guiness

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros]

The list goes on and on

[stillwater]

I can't see Malty back here as a player under any scenario. His ship has sailed ... thanks Malts.

[HenryMalredo]

While I've always been a fan of Mike Modano, he doesn't add anything to the team that they need. His leadership and intangibles are great, but on a team like the Wings, it's not something worth paying for. The Wings are set with offense with Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Franzen, Hudler, Bertuzzi, Holmstrom, Hudler, and Fillipula, with Cleary also hopefully being able to chip in, so no need for Modano there. Modano's a decent defensive player, but the Wings have an aging vet in Draper, two kids who need playing time in Helm and Abdelkader, along with young vets Eaves and Miller, with Ritola seeing some time too. Sure Ritola and/or Miller could get dropped to make room for Modano, but Ritola's still young and Miller, while he doesn't have too much potential, is young enough to be an affordable checker for a few years. Also note that Modano has had a lesser role in Dallas the last few years and would have to take an even less significant role in Detroit, something that would probably make him unhappy with the Wings.

[cmac19]

Signing Modano would be perfect IMO. Think about it:

Bert - Z - Mule
Hudler - Dats - Fil
Cleary - Helm - Eaves
Abs - Modano - Homer

Keeping Modano and Homer together on the 4th line frees them up for the PP

Dats - Z - Homer
Mule - Modano - Hudler/Fil

I am actually excited about that possibility... If we could just keep them healthy...

[Drake_Marcus]

As far as Maltby goes-- he'll clearly be passing through waivers to come up and down. There's no way Holland signs him to sit in the press box all season. I doubt other teams would make a statement by grabbing a near-retirement grinder like Maltby if Holland was clear that the waivers were a formality and not intended to get him off the Wings' hands.

Frankly I think it'd be nice to have a loyal veteran like Maltby in Grand Rapids mentoring the kids there. He trains like a pro, thinks like a pro and has leadership to spare. He'd be a great influence on the young kids in GR. I bet Holland would ask him to keep a close eye on Smith and act as a positive influence on him.

[Heroes of Hockeytown]

At 1 million, it would be tempting. But I still don't know the intangibles are worth it.

I don't at all, because leadership is not lacking at any level of the Wings' organization.

With that said, I think he's still got some gas left in the tank and would easily improve the third line from being potentially centered by Abdelkader. Modano might be old but he is still a better offensive player. If the team decides to reconfigure itself and not use three scoring lines however, he would immediately become a waste.

I would flat reject anything but a one year deal, and Drake has the right idea that a training camp invite is the way to go. If one of the kids knocks 'em dead he should get the spot ahead of old man Mike. If he's not agreeable to that than it's no big loss -- his presence or absence wouldn't make or break the Wings' season.

[Broken 16]

At 1 million, it would be tempting. But I still don't know the intangibles are worth it. I guess I'd just like the Wings to pick up a few tangibles, like a solid D man and someone who will drop the gloves.

And Holland's implication aside, exactly what is our bottom pairing right now? Ericsson Meech?

Right. Like I said I want to agree for basically all the reasons you stated. But at 1 mill, it's too tempting to see what he would do. If was able to give 80% consistently on the third line, we could have, potentially the most potent third line in the entire NHL. Sick if our lineup is healthy. Absolutely RIDICULOUS powerplay. Is he a righty?

I wouldn't mind a weak bottom two for a season.

Of course this all hinges on Mike Modano and how driven he is. I can't imagine he would be any less than 100% driven on a one year stint with the Wings, in front of his family in his hometown. If that doesn't inspire them to win, nothing will, imo.

[Grim]

Modano would make a phenomenal third-line center on this team! No doubt Kenny wants to resolve the contracts to his RFAs first, and perhaps also Lilja's replacement. No doubt one of the California teams will scoop up Mikey.

[ben_usmc]

No educated fan will complain. No one is expecting him to go out and be a force. Talent and hands don't just disappear, and while his legs may show his age, there is no reason to think he won't be able to produce on the 2nd powerplay unit, as well as be an effective third line center. His linemates last year were not top-6 players by any stretch of the imagination, so assuming he could duplicate another .5 ppg season at this age is not unquestionable at all.

When you factor in the intangibles, and mentorship of some our younger players, he would be the perfect fit if we make an addition at all. Better be one year however.

Who the f*** is Modano going to mentor on this team?


Signing him is not what this team needs, so I hope Kenny passes

[EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

Who the f*** is Modano going to mentor on this team?


Signing him is not what this team needs, so I hope Kenny passes

Do you honestly think the now plethora of young North Americans on the Wings would not benefit by playing with a first ballot hall of famer? Before you point out our abundance of age and experiance, name me another North American forward on this team who both had the skillset and the leadership ability that Modano has. Sorry, but being a great shutdown center like Draper was is different then being a team's captain for over a decade. I want guys like Abdelkader and Helm to watch him and let them soak in what he has to offer. The Wing's have many talented players, but none as fit to mentor them as Modano.

The only real downside to offering him a tryout that I can see is that it may mean Ritola may get extremely limited time, or we do not re-sign Miller. While this may be more harm then good in the long term, I really can't see either being too central to the Wing's success, or being then Modano next year, and honestly I am impatient fan. I want the Wing's to have the best possible chance to win next year, and if that means halting Ritola's development (he's never projected to be better then a third/second line tweener), or letting go a journey man, well those are just the losses you take. I'll admit, I have a huge personal bias to wanting him on the team, as he was always one of my favorite non-wings, but seeing as Holland HAS initiated discussions with him, I really don't think im too far in the wrong for wanting him in the team. But then again, you're the same guy who tried to tell me inflation wasn't real, so I guess I'm wasting my time replying to the "WHO THE f*** WILL MODANO MENTOR" tough guy talk.

[Joseph Franks]

Modano would not be a bad pickup IMO. He's no first or second liner anymore, but as a third or fourth liner (Depending on his production) he could do some good with the younger guys on the team.

You're crazy if you wouldn't want guys like Helm, Abby, Eaves, and so on learning for a year with Modano as their center man. While I agree he's not what this team specifically needs, if he comes at a price of 1 million he's still going to put up a few points, he still has cup experience, and it's fookin' Mike Modana....one of our very own Michiganders and clearly a hall of famer.

He had 30 points last year in 59 games. Draper had 22 points in 81 games. Flip had 35 points in 55 games playing along side Zetterberg of all people, and we're looking at him to center our second line. Modano had more goals than either of these centers.

One way or another he's going to get the puck to the net from time to time, and if we could find him a chemistry a little better than what Dallas was giving him, I bet he could easily pull off one more 40 point season.

Understandable that given a slew of choices, there are far better pick-ups than Modano out there, but if he was willing to come center a 3rd/4th line for a million, we'd be almost stupid to pass that up.

His only intangible is if he can stay healthy.

People rant and rave about how we could do well to pick up a 4th liner than could tally maybe 20 points and add a little grit. Modano did as well last year as our second line center, and we'd likely be using him to center the third or fourth line, and run on a second PP unit.

To me, pending his health is good, Kenny would be crazy to shoot it down if Modano agreed to a low paycheck, and bottom six ice time.

Someone said something above like, "If Modano doesn't mind being benched", as if to imply any of our bottom six had a higher PPG percentage than Modano last year?

Edit: PPG = Point per game, in this instance.

Edited by Joseph Franks, 02 July 2010 - 12:53 AM.