I know this has become old news by now but it's going to bother me until it's over. Mike Modano is a fucking Detroit Red Wing. The hockey gods are weeping!
To spend your entire career with one organization in any league of sport is an amazing accomplishment. Greats like Troy Aikman, Steve Yzerman and Lebron James (I kid obviously) have upheld this wonderful trait. Greats like Emmitt Smith and Mike Modano should have been able to.
I'm not mad at Modano. He does what he wants when he wants and we all accept it and love it because he's Mike Fucking Modano. If Mike wants to play until he's in his Gordie Howe prime then so be it. He wasn't just the face of the Stars franchise, he IS the face of American Hockey. Without him and his contributions you wouldn't hear a Texas drawl in the stands of hockey arenas.
I blame Nieuwendyk. I love Nieuwy, always have. I will also continue to carry the utmost respect for the Conn-Smythe winner during our 1999 cup run. But for now, fuck you Joe. You did this to a teammate, a leader and a friend. It shouldn't have been anyone's call but Mike's. It's not like he was breaking the bank or anything, he signed a one-year one-million dollar deal with Detroit. That's rookie money.
Case and point, everyone in Texas knows who Emmitt Smith is. Sports fan or not you just know. He's only the greatest running back of all time. Some argue but you can't argue it statistically. Same with Mo, all-time scoring leader for American born hockey players (no one will ever catch Gretzky in scoring). Both Emmitt and Mo suffered the same fate; being kicked to the curb and forced to turn in the Lone Star on their jersey for a red sweater. Emmitt became a division rival Cardinal as Mo is now a Red Wing, a team who always seems to be one step ahead of Dallas.
Mike Modano will join Brett Hull as dynasty decapitations. Brett Hull was told he didn't have it anymore and signed with the Red Wings that of season. That year Hully scored 35 goals and won another Stanley Cup. Hull retired one year after the lock-out but he did it on his terms. His ass was fat and he couldn't keep up with the new crowd but he went out on his own terms. That's what Modano deserved, his terms.
The days of Reunion Arena and Texas Stadium are dead. The only thing keeping the spirit of those places alive are our memories of these greats filling up stat sheets and being the poster-boys of what true Texas winning is all about. Oh yea and five super bowl rings and a Stanley Cup ring.
No one will ever replace the likes of Mike or Emmitt and that's okay. Those shoes are too big to fill. All I know is, "Shame on Joe."
Don't get me wrong. I'll be at American Airlines Center opening night to see the Stars take on the Red Wings. I'll cheer my ass off for the stars but honestly I hope Modano scores 20 goals against us that night. You can bet your beer money I'll stand up and cheer for everyone of them too.
Thanks for reading and GO STARS!
Grant V. Ziegler
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