Babcock healthy-scratch decisions

[Mors 201]

I find it completely bizarre that Babcock would scratch Modano against the Wild, preventing him from reaching his 1500th game milestone this season (he's at 1496 with 3 games left now). Modano has been skating hard and generating opportunities, and the Wild are a non-playoff team...was this really necessary?

Scratching Miller against the Sabres earlier in the season when his whole family was in attendance also seemed like a dick move.

[55fan 5,133]

I'm sure he has his reasons, but I agree that those are real head-scratchers. It's not like either player was being terrible. Both had reasons to want to play. I know that no matter who is scratched there will be someone who is disappointed, but it's not like they are young under-performing kids who need to be sat to be taught a lesson.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

Yeah, not really sure. Babs knows the matchups and might just want to rest up Modano with that groin issue he seemed to be having lately. Miller is a plug-in here and there and usually does a great job in that role. Those scenarios are pretty strange though, I'll give you that.

[uk_redwing 495]

Maybe he gets annoyed by sentiment.

[55fan 5,133]

Maybe he gets annoyed by sentiment.

I doubt that. Look at the starters for the night Mac returned to the fold in '08:

Now that's sentiment.

[VM1138 1,921]

Before the game I heard Modano was feeling sore, I never heard it was a "healthy scratch."

[evilzyme 769]

Modano was scratched due to his ongoing injury. After the penance practice it was bugging him but he decided to play against nashville i believe because pasha was still out.

[Mabuhay Red Wings 177]

Someone on HF mentioned his contract and that he would've been able to cash in on a bonus if he played a certain number of games.

[55fan 5,133]

I had heard that Mo was listed as a healthy scratch, but that he was sore. I took that to mean that someone had to be a healthy scratch, and they chose him. The soreness was a side issue that would have not kept him out.

I could have read that differently than was intended. I read the two things as being unrelated.

[uk_redwing 495]

I doubt that. Look at the starters for the night Mac returned to the fold in '08:

Now that's sentiment.

Ah, forgot about that. That was a good game.

Can only guess its bonus related.

[VM1138 1,921]

I had heard that Mo was listed as a healthy scratch, but that he was sore. I took that to mean that someone had to be a healthy scratch, and they chose him. The soreness was a side issue that would have not kept him out.

I could have read that differently than was intended. I read the two things as being unrelated.

That could be the case, but the soreness was probably why they decided to scratch him since they had to scratch somebody, not some conspiracy about keeping him from getting a bonus that wouldn't affect Babcock in any way whatsoever like others have suggested.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

If Modano is scratched for one more game, he will be ineligible for a 150k contract bonus for having played a certain number of games.

That is 150k off the cap for next season.

[evilzyme 769]

I thought his bonus was 52/55 games and was already terminated due to his wrist injury? That was discussed awhile back at the beginning of the season when it happened. Is there more stipluations to it?

[HankthaTank 1,100]

His next game would be his 38th this season. Not sure that # usually brings a bonus but I don't do contract stuff so who knows. Maybe for getting to his 1500th as a pro type bonus.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

I thought his bonus was 52/55 games and was already terminated due to his wrist injury? That was discussed awhile back at the beginning of the season when it happened. Is there more stipluations to it?

There is a bonus for him playing 40 games.

[P. Marlowe 748]

At this time of the season with playoff berth clinched I'd rather suit healthy Miller than sore-croined Modano. Modano needs to be fully recovered when post season starts.

[Guest Crymson]

I doubt that. Look at the starters for the night Mac returned to the fold in '08:

Now that's sentiment.

Hey, I took that picture

Edited April 4, 2011 by Crymson

[evilzyme 769]

Via the Freep article

http://www.freep.com...0/1053/sports05

"It was one of those tough decisions," Babcock said. "He had a chance to get to 1,500 games. And yet, him and Drapes, both for their age up front, I satthem out.

"We didn't bring him here to get 1,500 games. We brought him here to win the Cup.That's our total focus."

Modano said after Saturday's game he was fine and not bothered by the hip flexor that kept him from skating Thursday.

Changes my thoughts, it's hard that Babcock is really rough on the guys to the public but we obviously don't know if there was a pre-arranged meeting between the two parties. Babcock could've apologized to Modano, or Modano could've inputted that he was fine with it and he understands we didnt want the cap hit. Who knows?

Edited April 4, 2011 by evilzyme

[wings1110 184]

I doubt that. Look at the starters for the night Mac returned to the fold in '08:

Now that's sentiment.

Thats beautiful is what it is.

[Echolalia 2,961]

Babs never cared much for personal benefit or individual milestones. I remember reading that the team had to really coax him into letting Ozzie play at home so he could possibly reach whatever milestone he hit recently in front of a home crowd. He's 100% about what's best for the team and I don't think personal stories factor even the slightest into who's dressed or not.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Maybe Babcock hates players whose last names start with "M".

[Booster313 138]

I suspect Modano will play the last 3 games if that's what is required to get his bonus, the Wings aren't that kind of a team. Besides I doubt 150k is going to make a difference to Modano at this stage of his career, after taxes and his agent fees he'd be lucky to get 50k.

[Hossa4Life 4]

Maybe it is a master plan in order to make Modano come back for one more season.

[Broken 16 381]

Maybe it is a master plan in order to make Modano come back for one more season.

Personally, I hope he doesn't come back. I was all for a one and done but two seasons is too much imo. I'd much rather see one of the youngsters next season, regardless of what Modano does in the playoffs.

[Miss Wing Queen 154]

While I don't understand Babs' reasoning in Miller, Ozzie, or Modano's situations, since it appears he has no room for sentiment, he does still surprise me by giving the guys leave to go visit their families (Stuart and Salei), unless that's more Holland's decision than Babs'.