Mike Modano Reveals What Mike Babcock Told Him Prior to Fleecing Him Out of 1500 Games
Mike Babcock is a pariah in the NHL right now and it is all thanks to his antics that affected players like Mike Modano, who played for Babs on the Detroit Red Wings.
During the 2010-2011 season, Modano decided to sign with the Detroit Red Wings for one last ride off into the sunset.
Heading into that season, the Hall of Famer was hoping to play in his 1500th career game, however, he came just one match short.
Mike Babcock dashes Mike Modano's last NHL wish
Babcock infamously benched Modano in the second to last game of the season, only to play him the next game.
This blocked him from ever reaching 1500 games and during the latest episode of Spittin' Chiclets, Modano told the whole story for the first time.
As the legendary Minnesota North Stars draft pick explains, Babcock was ruthless as it pertained to his situation and showed absolutely zero empathy.
First I went back to Detroit, could have came to Minnesota, opted for Detroit, Kenny Holland gave me the pitch and I was like I got to go back to the Wings...
I'm looking at maybe the first week of March, so I'm like March 8th, now I'm looking at my games played to the end of the year. So I'm adding the numbers and I'm like hey, if I get now till then, I hit 1500 on the nut.
We're whittling down, we got three left. So I play, I'm at 1498. Minnesota at home, healthy scratch. Then he plays me in Chicago for the season ender to get 1499.
You know he's like 'Mike, we didn't bring you here to get 1500 games, we brought you here to win a cup.' Babs called me that afternoon at home, I didn't even get to the rink.."
Babcock was infamous for doing stuff like this with his well-respected veterans. Of course, he once scratched Jason Spezza during a game against the Ottawa Senators.
However, there is no doubt that Mike Modano remains a respected figure when compared to the disgraced former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach.
Modano won a Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars franchise and finished his career with 561 goals and 1374 points.
Moreover, he is now in the Hockey Hall of Fame, a building that Mike Babcock will never be welcomed in.
