Mike Modano is reportedly set to sign with the Red Wings later this week. The Westland, Michigan native said in a text message to the Detroit Free Press that he will make a "Big announcement" on Thursday. The Free Press reported Modano will sign with Detroit with a one-year, $1.25 million contract. The 40-year old Modano had spent his entire 20-year career with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars franchise with his 557 goals the most for any American born hockey player in N-H-L history.

The Stars did not offer Modano a contract following his 14-goal, 16-assist output during the 2009-10 season.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks have made a decision to let Stanley Cup winning goaltender Antti Niemi become a free agent. Chicago will walk away from an arbitrator's decision to award Niemi a reported $2.75 million contract for the upcoming season and have instead agreed to a one-year deal with veteran goaltender Marty Turco, the former Kalamazoo Wing and Dallas Star goalie who won 2 NCAA titles while playing for the University of Michigan.