According to the Dallas Morning News, if Stars veteran forward Mike Modano wanted to leave the Stars, he definitely had the opportunity to do so.
The paper claims three teams, including the Washington Capitals, were trying to acquire Modano at last week's trade deadline, but he refused to waive his no-trade clause.
Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk did not pursue active trade talk with the three teams that inquired after Modano told him he wouldn't approve of a trade.
"We talked about this a couple of months ago, and we agreed at the time that if there were teams interested, I would bring the information to Mike," Nieuwendyk told the Morning News. "I did that, and he decided he wanted to stay."
Modano, 39, is in the final year of his contract and can become an unrestricted free agent July 1.
"Honestly, I just couldn't do it," he told the Morning News. "We were in pretty good shape in the playoff race, and there's no guarantee with a new team. I've been with this team my whole life, and I want to stay with this team."
Files from:
Dallas Morning News
