Sweater Switch 2010
Tuesday · Aug 10 · 2010 | 12:00 PM PDTWe ran a series here last year called Sweater Switch, which consisted of players signed or traded over the summer with their new team's jersey. It was cool, though that's really a task to be taken on during the first month of the season when action shots are available.
Mike Modano and his Red Wings sweaterI was going to wait but this picture just struck me as so bizarre that I just couldn't. I mean it's Mike Modano with a Detroit Red Wings jersey — and it's No. 90 (since No. 9 is retired, obviously).
So strange. More photos here.
Anyhow, this reminded me of a photo essay Sports Illustrated did a few years ago called Legends in the Wrong Uniform, which included Bobby Orr as a Blackhawk.
It mostly shows great athletes on the down-swing of their careers when they just wanted to get a few more games in but their longtime teams were going in another direction. You know, Bourque with the Avs, Hasek in Detroit. The Modano situation fits perfectly, so if they ever do an update, they'll have to add him.
Anyway it's a slow Tuesday and I wanted to get something new on the blog. Enjoy.
Reader Comments (18)
Excellent observation - indeed it is quite strange to see Modano holding a Wings jersey!
If it were 15 years ago I can see many Minnesotans having heart attacks looking at that picture.
As a lifelong Redwings fan and somebody that has always had great respect for Modano as a player and person, this whole thing doesn't sit well with me. Modano was one of those rare players that spent his entire career with a single franchise, like Stevie Y and Super Mario.
I am not sure I like the direction the Wings have been headed in over the last couple of years. Modano is definitely one of the best American players of all time and can still play, but was this a wise move?
Alex, It's still weird today!
This is why i'm against the idea of retiring numbers. You end up with stars like modano wearing football numbers. It's sad.
Concepts would be good for a slow Tuesday[/reminder as requested] ;)
As for Modano, it is indeed strange,the North Stars must be turning in their graves!
Also awkward: Scott Gomez is taking over Saku Koivu's old no.11 this year.
Moreso than Modano with a Wings Jersey, how about Hull in a Coyotes Jersey. Now that would be a more appropriate photo for this blog. And I do believe that this year will vindicate Modano, as he's finally playing with experienced, talented athletes, which is more than can be said for his last few years in Dallas.
I'm a Wings fan, I think he looks good in red and can't wait for this season to start. I think it'll be weird seeing him in full Red Wings uniform, but I'm sure I'll get used to it.
Also as a Wings fan, it's just weird to see. I don't dislike the idea of Modano being a Wing, so I'll reserve judgment until midpoint in the season.
I'd rather have seen him sign with Minnesota.
Hasek played nearly a quarter of his NHL career - in terms of games and seasons - with the Red Wings. I think you were off base listing him along with Bourque and even Modano
That just looks strange. I couldn't imagine Stevie Y wearing another uniform...Joe Sakic wearing another uniform. Looks strange. #90 is great though.
I have a friend who works for the Dallas Stars and he says this about Modano....
"Get ready to not believe me, but Mike Modano is the furthest thing from positive veteran presence.
I can tell you from my last season in Dallas, he is a bad leader, bad influence and has a negative work ethic. I would never want him on any team i was cheering for. "
FWIW.
He'll be a wing for One season but the jersey Modano will always be remembered in is the Green Star Shaped sweater he wore when he lifted the Stanley Cup.
Yea, so.. I don't see what's weird about Hasek in a Wings jersey. Maybe that's because, being a Habs fan, I was happy that Buffalo no longer had one of the best goalies of all time.
Being a Vancouverite, I see a lot of teams legends come and go for last chance seasons. Mats Sundin was a blunder, Nazzy to broadway and The Moose from broadway to Van, after turning our cup dreams into nightmares. Vancouver's only modern legend Linden, luckily went away and came back to end his career where it started. In the new nhl teams don't stay to far apart, it seems everyone has played with everyone at some point. And seeing the franchise players stay with a team to build a dynasty are gone.
yeah, hull in a coyotes jersey was weird, but so was hull in a wings jersey and hull in a stars jersey. for me, at least
Hasek in a Senators uniform is a bit weirder than in a Wings one, although it'd have been nice if he hadn't gone and retired - twice! - before coming back again and again. Plus, it's not like he actually started with Buffalo; he made the All-Rookie Team as a Blackhawk.
dislike this as a Dallas fan he should have stayed at home where he has always been or retired!!!