DETROIT, Michigan -- After several days of speculation and text-message confirmations, the Detroit Red Wings officially announced the signing of free agent forward Mike Modano on Thursday.
Though financial terms were not announced, several sources report that he will make $1.25 million on a one-year deal. Reportedly there are performance-based bonuses that could push Modano's pay up to $1.5 million.
The 40-year-old Modano had played his entire career for the Minnesota / Dallas franchise.
He joins a group of four Red Wings with ties to Michigan, having grown up in Westland. Justin Abdelkader was born in Muskegon, Brian Rafalski is from Dearborn, and Drew Miller grew up in East Lansing.
The Red Wings will hold a press conference at 2:00 PM on Friday to introduce Modano as a member of the team. He is expected to don a winged-wheel jersey with number 90.
Looks like some chatter has started. Modano finishes his career off as a wing?
As George Malik puts it, that's just Ken Holland doing his due diligence. Of course he asked, but there's no way Modano would take a league-minimum contract to play on the fourth line just because it's Detroit.
Holland also asked about Slava Kozlov. Similarly, not gonna happen.
I'd love it if either of those cases did happen but the Wings already have 14 forwards, 13 if they risk sending Mattias Ritola through waivers. They want a grit guy they can sign to a two-way deal and bring up when needed, Modano is not that.
Of course, now there are reports that the Wings are really pushing for Modano and that he's interested. Still makes absolutely no sense, of course.
Maybe Rule of Cool applies here. Modano on the Wings would be frikkin' sweet so it doesn't matter that it doesn't fit Detroit's previously-stated offseason plan.
Well, I'm more than a bit shocked.
If Mike Modano decides not to retire, he'll play for the Wings next season.
Sorry but I'm under the impression that since McDonald is signed with the wings he can be called up at any time. All they would need to do is scratch on or other goalie. Theres no risk, I want Modano to sign, we'll have a team like 02 or 08 again.
Scratching a player just means they're not in the lineup on a given night.
MacDonald can be called up at any time but in order to make room on the roster (not necessarily in the lineup) for him then Wings would need to remove a player from that roster.
But much of the buzz seems to be that moving Drew Miller and/or Derek Meech won't be a big deal, so maybe I'm worrying too much about roster limits. Or maybe people just want this to work. I want it to work, I just don't see it as a fit right now. Maybe by the end of the summer it will be one.
Clark, I'm surprised I haven't seen a Jersey # prediction from you yet... My buddy Chase and I have been debating the number he'll choose. Chase seems to think he'll take 91. I'm not convinced. It will be a very tough call! I think he would be more likely to take another "single number" like #3, since 3 X 3 is 9.... I don't know.... What do you think?
I was going to save the jersey number prediction for my annual number roundup, if he even signs.
Right now I'm guessing #27 (which he's worn in the All-Star Game when #9 was taken) or #8 (with Abdelkader switching). I'd prefer to see him in #90 or #91 'cause I think they look cool (and if Meech can take Shanahan's number, Modano certainly can have Fedorov's).
#91 is an ugly number in Detroit, thanks to Fedorov. Maybe it's time to forget the bad taste in my mouth, though.
It'll be interesting!
Can't wait for the result of this one...
Looks like it's official. NHL.com wouldn't report otherwise, I imagine... 
Technically, it's not official until Friday. Right now everyone is just confirming that it will happen.
Facebook just posted a link, so if it's facebook official it's gotta be real then!
Facebook just posted a link, so if it's facebook official it's gotta be real then!
The Wings have officially announced the deal, with his introduction now scheduled for 2:00 PM tomorrow. He'll wear #90.
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