Wings Sign Modano, Ink Helm
According to the Detroit Free Press, longtime Dallas Stars center and Michigan native Mike Modano will officially be announced as a member of the Red Wings at a news conference this Friday.
The one year deal worth about $1.3 million will give the Wings three solid scoring lines. Here is what their top 3 lines are expected to look like:
Zetterberg – Datsyuk – Holmstrom
Franzen – Filppula – Bertuzzi
Hudler – Modano – Cleary
Modano will be looking to cap his hall of fame career with what would be his second Stanley Cup victory. Though his numbers have slipped in recent years partially due to his age and partially due to his lack of talent around him, Modano should certainly be able to pick up the Wings third line and feed off from the talent of Cleary and Hudler.
In other news, the Wings have finally locked up center Darren Helm to a two year deal, worth about $912,500 a year. Helm, who is just 23, has been a solid contributor to the Red Wings success in recent years. He is certainly a cornerstone of the future for the Wings. Helm, however, will have to compete for a spot on the fourth line with Drew Miller, Patrick Eaves, and Kris Draper.
Also in the mix for a spot on the fourth line is Justin Abelkader, who remains unsigned but is expected to sign soon.
