They're Waiting

This from the Free Press this morning:

It bears emphasizing that while the Red Wingsvery much want to add Mike Modano to the lineup, Justin Abdelkader and Darren Helm remain important parts of the team.

Abdelkader and Helm, both 23, are restricted free agents, and general managerKen Holland said contracts likely won't get done until after Modano announces his decision. Modano told the Free Press on Monday he doesn't anticipate doing that until after he starts skating Aug. 5.

Old news right?  Everyone is pretty upset with Modano for putting off his decision for so long...especially after he said that it would come quickly.  The Chief over at A2Y is particularly turned off:

Just stay out.  We’re tired of you, this story, this summer, this whole deal.  Just STFU and stay the F out of Hockeytown.  And if this even comes close to costing us Helmer or Home Keys?  We’re hunting your metro a** down.

Good stuff from everyone's favorite Navy Chief Petty Officer.  But what I really wanted to reveal to you (especially a select few with an ongoing debate) is this:

Modano's presence especially would affect Abdelkader, who right now is slotted to center the third line between wingers Jiri Hudler and Dan Cleary. That's got the potential to be a nice point-getting spot, as Hudler and Cleary are 20-goal scorers. If Abdelkader, who made $710,000 last season, knows that spot is his, he'd probably opt to sign for one year, then hope to be in a stronger bargaining position next summer. If he knows he'll be competing for a spot on the fourth line, he might decide he'd be better off signing for a longer term.

So there you have it - Hudler-Abdelkader-Cleary for the third line...for now.

But the concept presented is also interesting...a longer term contract for Abdelkader if Modano signs?  Seems to make sense.  Perhaps we need to re-think what Modano's signing actually means to these two.

But for guys like Drew Miller and Mattias Ritola - it means exactly the same thing that it did yesterday....death.