Even though the SB Nation Dallas staff recently named Mike Modano the third most popular sports figure in the Dallas-Forth Worth area, Modano himself doesn't feel he's in the 'scheme of things' for the Starts next season.
"The more and more I look at the situation here, I come to believe I'm not in the scheme of things here," Modano said Monday. "If I had to play, I may have to look at going elsewhere."
Though Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk told ESPN that "there's an open dialogue with Mike," it seems Modano is worried about his role on the team for next season more than anything else.
"It depends on who I'd play with and who I feel I can make some plays and make decisions with on the ice," Modano said. "I just need help as far as quickness and pace of the game now. You can't make it work the way you used to with any given linemate. You need help now."
Art Middleton from Defending Big D, SB Nation's Dallas Stars blog, isn't quite sure how to feel about the whole situation.
How should we feel about this? I mean the selfish fan in all of us I am sure wants to keep Mo in nothing but a Stars jersey for his entire career. At the same time though, how can we deny the guy another year of hockey if he feels like he can still play but the Stars are ready to move on without him.
I don't know how to feel about this personally. I'm kinda torn.