To some, it may not be a big deal. A great player signs with a contender towards the end of their career with hopes of winning a title. It’s commonplace these days occurring as frequently as celebrity’s facing legal trouble. We are no longer fazed these days to see the face of a franchise change uniforms.
It’s a real travesty in sports these days. It’s even worse considering how routine it used to be.
Arguably the greatest American born player to ever play in the National Hockey League, Modano had played all 20 seasons with the Dallas Stars. The lone player remaining from their days in Minnesota, Modano has played for this organization since the then Minnesota North Stars drafted him 1st overall in the 1988 draft. Modano was been an integral part of this franchise’s rise to the top during the 90’s with the Stars lone Stanley Cup Championship in 1999.
During Modano’s time with the Stars, Dallas appeared in two Conference Championships and won seven Pacific Division titles.
His career numbers are just as impressive as he is the Stars all time leader in goals (557), assists (802), and points (1359) in the regular season and post season as well (58 goals, 87 assists, and 145 points). Along with being the all time leader in goals and points among American born players, Modano has also been an all star eight times.
It’s clear to see the impact Modano has had on the Dallas Stars throughout his twenty years with the club. He was the face of their relevance during the last two decades. While Modano is unequivocally near the end of his career, he can still produce, even if it’s in a reduced role on the third line.
So how do the Stars and General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk-former teammate and friend - handle the franchise’s greatest player in their history?
They don’t resign him. Awkward.
Unlike most situations with a declining athlete in denial about their fading abilities, Modano understood that he would have to accept a reduced role. Modano wanted to return to the only team he’s ever played for as he wasn’t quite ready to hang up the skates. To retire from the game you’ve played for so long is tough on any athlete. Not everyone can handle it with such ease like Brett Favre (wait, just kidding).
And unlike many declining athletes, the 40-year-old center has already won a Stanley Cup, leaving Modano essentially with nothing to prove at this point in his career.
So when we gather all the facts, we have a hall of famer who has played all 20 seasons with one team. The player has had a resounding impact on this team during his time winning their lone Stanley Cup in their history. The player wants to simply finish out his career in an accepted reduced role with the same team.
Yet the end result is Modano playing most likely his final season in a Detroit Red Wings uniform.
Is Steve Ott such an asset as the third center that Dallas couldn’t afford to have Modano start over him?
In the latest example of business over loyalty, the Stars let the greatest player to ever play for them to finish his career elsewhere. While Modano likely won’t do much in his final season and one year in a red uniform won’t keep Modano from entering the Hall of Fame as a Dallas Star.
But it’s a shame that Modano’s final playing days will be with a different team. Call me old fashioned, but I enjoy seeing players stay with one team for their entire career. Kobe Bryant and Derek Jeter are the lone few these days who will likely accomplish that. If this doesn’t mean much to you, then you are probably fine with Queen James’ “decision".
Quite frankly, having a guy change teams after playing his entire career with one team for so long kind of has the same feel as kissing your sister-just wrong.