The good: Modin is a veteran leader with Stanley Cup experience who can help out on the man advantage. The Swede won the coveted hardware with Tampa Bay in 2004, so as unrestricted free agent, he could be pursued by a team that needs someone to play the player/coach role in hopes of stealing the Cup from the Blackhawks. The bad: he's very injury prone and was limited to just 44 games combined, between the Kings and Blue Jackets, in 2009-10. Even if a team looks at the positive and ultimately inks him to a deal, there should be safer fantasy options out there, especially at the forward spot.
Injury-prone veteran scored 9-16-25 in 50 games last season and could be hard-pressed to maintain even a third line role with the Blue Jackets as their younger players start pushing for more playing time.
Modin was Mr. Dependable back in his Tampa Bay days, but his ’07-’08 campaign was ruined by multiple injuries. He’ll turn 34 just after the season begins and while he’s had the whole offseason to recover, the new additions to the Blue Jackets roster will make it very tough for Modin to hang on to his spot on a top two line. He could bounce back for another 20-goal, 40-point campaign, but there are much safer bets for that level of production.
Modin’s first year in Columbus wasn’t up to his usual standards. After tallying 31 and 29 goals in the previous two seasons, Modin slipped to just 22 goals in ’06-’07 thanks to a lack of a playmaking center and Rick Nash’s presence above him on the left wing depth chart. Modin, a gritty winger with a good shot, has the skills to rebound to the 30-goal, 55-point level, but needs help to do it. With a defensively minded player such as Michael Peca slated to be his pivot heading into camp that help isn’t likely to arrive, however.
Picked up from the Lightning, Modin is a reliable two-way forward who should fit in nicely on the Blue Jackets’ top two lines. He’ll turn 32 just as the season begins, and could form a very effective second unit with Sergei Fedorov given their similar playing styles. He may not connect for 30 goals, but he should be a lock for 25 tallies and 50 points.
Modin has matured like a fine wine. After several years of enigmatic play, Freddy showed a new-found maturity to go along with his usual great two-way play. He ramped it up in the playoffs, chipping in 19 points in 23 games, and the confidence gained by his success in 2003-04 could spell a 65+ point season. Modin is a good option as your number two or three left winger.
