Mike Modano Retires

[Deebo]

per Mike himself, via a Facebook status update:

"After a long summer of thinking about my future, I've come to the decision that it's time to retire as a player from the NHL. There's way too many people to thank here at this time and too much to say, so I have a press conference scheduled for early Friday afternoon. Check back Friday late afternoon for more. What a great ride it's been!"

One of the best USA born players in the history of the game.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

No doubt he was one of the best USA players out there. Great career for Modano. Enjoy life Mike!

 

[Leafaholic99]

Facebook to announce a retirement from the NHL? I am sure that is a first.

Kind of figured he was going to retire soon, I was surprised he played with Detroit last year. He had a great career in the NHL and internationally, enjoy the retirement Mike!

 

[Bender]

Hull views Modano as the best American player ever. I would probably have to go with Brian Leetch myself, but Modano was definitely up there.

 

[Corn Flake]

Hull views Modano as the best American player ever. I would probably have to go with Brian Leetch myself, but Modano was definitely up there.

What about Chelios?  He was around so long, few remember how dominant he was in his twenties and early thirties.

I think the four of them are all relatively close.  Hull is gushing but really its a lot closer than he suggests.

 

[Boston Leaf]

If he had remained helathy through is career I may have gone with Pat LaFontiane as best Amerk ever

 

[Number 5]

I'm with you, Boston. Pat dominated like no other American before, or since.

 

[maplesyrup]

Great career. I might not agree he was the best American player ever but I certainly wouldn't call someone out for thinking that.

 

[Peter D.]

Sad to see another star (no pun intended) from my youth retire.  He was a great player and his skating was something to behold when he hit top stride.

Now the question is if he's a Hall of Famer.  I think he's one.  Many seem to compare his case to Sundin's, and there are those who don't feel Mats should be in there.  The glaring difference is obviously Modano's Cup win, but I've never been one to use that as a measuring stick for one's entrance in to the Hall.

 

[Scot4bz]

I heard him interviewed on the radio - he said he didn't get even a sniff from any of the teams so it made his decision easier. He was laughing about it. Great player, great career. Hats off!

 

[Sucker Punch]

Sad to see another star (no pun intended) from my youth retire.  He was a great player and his skating was something to behold when he hit top stride.

Now the question is if he's a Hall of Famer.  I think he's one.  Many seem to compare his case to Sundin's, and there are those who don't feel Mats should be in there.  The glaring difference is obviously Modano's Cup win, but I've never been one to use that as a measuring stick for one's entrance in to the Hall.

He's arguably the greatest American player of all time.  He'll be in, and it won't take very long.

 

[bustaheims]

Real_ESPNLeBrun: Stars will announce shortly they've signed Mike Modano. This way he retires a Star

Real_ESPNLeBrun: Modano's one-year deal will be for $999,999 (his number). Of course he won't collect since he's retiring. But cute

 

[Deebo]

Real_ESPNLeBrun: Stars will announce shortly they've signed Mike Modano. This way he retires a Star

Real_ESPNLeBrun: Modano's one-year deal will be for $999,999 (his number). Of course he won't collect since he's retiring. But cute

Isn't a 35+ deal that would count against the cap, even if he retires?

edit: I guess when you're 14 million under the cap, it doesn't matter.

 

[Leafaholic99]

Real_ESPNLeBrun: Stars will announce shortly they've signed Mike Modano. This way he retires a Star

Real_ESPNLeBrun: Modano's one-year deal will be for $999,999 (his number). Of course he won't collect since he's retiring. But cute

Isn't a 35+ deal that would count against the cap, even if he retires?

edit: I guess when you're 14 million under the cap, it doesn't matter.

Now why couldn't Sundin have done that with the Leafs, even for the min contract, would have been nice.

 

[bustaheims]

edit: I guess when you're 14 million under the cap, it doesn't matter.

Pretty much. The cap hit is pretty meaningless to the Stars - it's the real money that would have been an issue.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Real_ESPNLeBrun: Stars will announce shortly they've signed Mike Modano. This way he retires a Star

Real_ESPNLeBrun: Modano's one-year deal will be for $999,999 (his number). Of course he won't collect since he's retiring. But cute

Isn't a 35+ deal that would count against the cap, even if he retires?

edit: I guess when you're 14 million under the cap, it doesn't matter.

Now why couldn't Sundin have done that with the Leafs, even for the min contract, would have been nice.

We were already dinged with a $1.4mil cap penalty the season after Sundin retired, and had the Tucker/Raycroft buyouts to deal with as well. That'd be quite a bit of wasted cap space for a team that was close to the ceiling.