Stars sign Modano to extension.....CBA implications

[Drbio]

Associated Press

DALLAS -- Dallas Stars center Mike Modano, the team's career leader in nearly every significant category, signed a one-year contract extension Wednesday that prevents him from becoming a free agent until the summer of 2005.

With the league's labor situation after this season uncertain and potentially combative, this deal likely bridges the end of the current collective bargaining agreement and the start of the next one. That keeps Modano from being in limbo during a possible lockout next season and could make it easier for a long-term deal to be worked out later.

Modano was named the team's captain earlier this summer after longtime leader Derian Hatcher signed with Detroit.

A two-way force, Modano has the most goals, assists, points, game-winning goals, short-handed goals and games played in franchise history.

Taken first overall in the 1988 entry draft, Modano is one of two remaining players from the team's days as the Minnesota North Stars. He was on the Stanley Cup Finals teams in 1991, 1999 and 2000 and played a major role in winning the '99 championship.

Modano, who will earn $9 million this season, had 28 goals and 57 assists last season. The 85 points were third-most in his 14 full seasons. Last season, he also became the fifth American-born player to reach 1,000 career points.