Stars� Changes Bode Well for Modano in 2002-2003
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While there are a lot of changes in the 2002-2003 Dallas
Stars lineup from recent years, one major constant remains � the leadership of
Mike Modano.� Entering his 14th
NHL season, the 32-year-old is firmly entrenched as one of the game�s premier
players.� With new head coach, Dave
Tippett, and the addition of Team USA line mate Bill Guerin, �Mo� is primed for
an offensive explosion that may see him eclipse 90 points for the third time in
his career.�
�Coach Tippett is a big power-play guy and if the NHL
enforces the new rules, that�s going to mean a lot of power play time,� said
Modano.� �Billy (Bill Guerin) is so easy
to play with.� He just goes up and down
the wing and plays tough, can score and get in those areas that Brett (Hull)
used to get into.� You know where he is
going to be.�
In addition to Guerin, Ulf Dahlen has returned to Dallas and
played primarily on Modano�s wing during the preseason.� That�s a place he is quite familiar with
from a previous stint with the Stars.�
�I love Ulfie,� said Modano.� �We never should have traded him.� We had a couple of great years together in Minnesota and he was
here in Dallas our first year.� He�s
just a real simple, easy player.� He
does a lot of things really well with the puck.� He�s smart and strong and can check and play offense.� Coach (Tippett) is going to stress defense
just like every good team does and we�re going to have to commit to defense and
offense at the same time.�
Missing from the Stars game under previous head coach Ken
Hitchcock was the presence of a true enforcer to protect the team�s stars.� In particular, Modano has felt worn-down
toward the end of the past few seasons due to constant pounding from teams that
did not fear retribution from his teammates.�
Things will be different this year due to the addition of tough-guy
Aaron Downey who likes to be called �The Undertaker.�
�During the course of a season, teams take liberties on you
and when they know you don�t have guys to back it up, they can beat you down,�
said Modano.� �That was our case last
year and we ran out of gas at the end of the year which was a big factor in our
(poor) record at home.� Hopefully,
(Downey�s) presence can correct that and we can have a better record in
Dallas.� That will be important as
playoffs come and the season kind of goes on its way.�
One of the foremost experts on the current game, ESPN hockey
analyst Bill Clement, sees this as an MVP season for Modano.
�I picked Mike to win the Hart Trophy (as MVP).� No. 1, I think the long off-season was
mandatory for Mike.� He was burned out
as any player I�ve ever seen.� No. 2,
taking what he learned from Ken Hitchcock out of the mouth of Dave Tippett, I
think Mike will be freed.� I think Mike
functioned at a very high level under an oppressive environment.� He should have a great year.�
Despite the new firepower and hints of some offensive
freedom not enjoyed in the recent past, Modano still cautions against moving
away from the two-way mindset and knows it will take time to gel.
�We are still trying to figure out our identity (with the
new system and new players), and that takes time,� said Modano.� �We still want to be known as a team that
wins those 1-0, 2-1 games.� But it�s
nice to know that we have an advantage offensively, if we need a goal, we know
we can get it.�
Consistency Make Mike a Top �Poolie� Pick
The start of a new NHL season also means the start of
thousands of Fantasy/Pool leagues across North America.� Fantasy sources agree that another big year
is in store for the Stars' marquee player:
The Sports Forecaster
�Former Stars coaches Bob Gainey and Ken Hitchcock were
helpful in molding Modano into perhaps hockey�s best two-way player.� As a result, Modano�s numbers have been
lower than what they could be.� He was
one of the few Stars to perform well last season, finishing tied for ninth in
NHL scoring and leading the team in goals, assists, points, shots and
takeaways.� His combination of speed, vision
and a lethal shot makes him a threat on every shift.� He�s especially dangerous when killing penalties.� With Dave Tippett now coaching Dallas, and
with Bill Guerin on his line, Modano should be given more free reign.� Expect a big offensive season.
PROJECTION: 42 goals, 54 assists, 96 points
McKeen�s Hockey Pool Yearbook
�A rare talent and one of the most exciting players in the
game today, Modano combines great skating ability and elite puck skills with
remarkable ability to execute at top speed, while his second-straight Frank
Selke Trophy nomination as the league�s top defensive forward speaks volumes
about his evolution into a complete package.�
Didn�t miss a beat without Brett Hull and is historically a safe and
durable pick with ten 70-point seasons and two top-10 NHL finishes in the past
three years.�
PROJECTION: 35 goals, 50 assists, 85 points
Pro Hockey Review & Fantasy Guide
Modano is one of the best two-way players in the NHL,
having really learned to love Dallas� strict defensive system.� In the past six years, he has averaged a
plus-23 at the end of the season.�
Modano generates most of his scoring chances with his legs, his speed
being his best attribute.� He�s
averaging over a point per game for his career, and with newly-acquired Bill
Guerin set to play on his right side, Modano should be in for another superb
season.
PROJECTION: 34 goals, 46 assists, 80 points
The Hockey News Ultimate Fantasy Guide
For five consecutive full seasons, Modano had from 81 to
84 points before a slight dip to 77.�
There aren�t many more dependable players out there for point
production.
PROJECTION: 35 goals, 48 assists, 83 points
Tuesday�s at mikemodano.com Feature Weekly Wrap-ups
This year, mikemodano.com will provide weekly summaries of
Mike�s week in the NHL every Tuesday.�
Check back for notes, quotes, stats all season long as you follow your
favorite Star!
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