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Mike Modano says he expects to answer retirement question in 2-3 weeks

Mike Modano

during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Carlos Osorio

Not too long ago, Mike Modano said that he didn’t want to echo Brett Favre’s feet-dragging tradition of retirement indecision. While his every move won’t be followed in the same breathless (and often nauseating) way, it’s starting to feel like Modano should wear No. 4 from now on.

If he wears another jersey number, that is. To many, it seemed like Modano should have gotten the memo during the 2010-11 season. After ignoring a storybook, curtail-call ending with the Dallas Stars to close out the 2009-10 campaign, Modano flailed away last season with injuries and healthy scratches producing a pot hole-filled road to what might be retirement.

Modano probably felt like that stretch didn’t really scratch the itch, but what else does he really need to prove? That’s for him to decide, though, and Modano told ESPN Dallas that his choice should come in the next two to three weeks.

Mike Modano expects to make a decision in “two to three weeks” whether he will return to hockey for his 22nd season or retire.

During a batting practice session for Saturday’s 10th annual Reebok Heroes Celebrity Baseball charity event, Modano said he returned to Dallas around Memorial Day weekend and has spent most of the offseason relaxing in the metroplex.

“I’ve just been taking it easy,” said Modano, the host of the event. “I’ve been on some vacations, kind of lying around playing some golf and not really in a rush to make a decision one way or the other about what’s going to happen.”


As much attention as Modano’s decision-making process might get, the question is: how many teams would realistically be interested in a 41-year-old center whose game has been marginalized by age but whose ego is healthy enough that he griped about being a healthy scratch?

Honestly, the only team that really makes much sense is his old pals in Dallas. Despite having a team that finished just one win shy of a playoff berth - not to mention a more exciting than usual team that featured the dazzling talents of departed center Brad Richards - the Stars’ attendance woes were obvious to the naked eye last season. The Stars organization obviously needs to end its box office dependence to Modano sooner or later, but they might bring some nostalgic fans back with the return of their former star.

Keep in mind that Dallas connection is just a gut reaction and that there might actually be other teams who voice some interest in Modano if he does decide to come back. It would probably be best if he decided to shoot for a front office job with the Stars organization and move on instead of soiling his legacy a bit more, but it’s his choice to make. He certainly earned that right during 21 mostly outstanding NHL seasons.