Get ready to witness history! A legend's record is about to fall, and the hockey world is buzzing. Mike Modano, the Hall of Famer and longtime holder of the NHL's U.S.-born scoring record, is officially passing the torch. In a candid Q&A with NHL.com, Modano reflects on Patrick Kane's imminent takeover of his coveted title.
Nicholas J. Cotsonika of NHL.com sat down with Mike Modano to discuss the impending milestone. This "Sitting Down with..." feature provides insights into Modano's thoughts as Kane edges closer to breaking his record for the most points scored by an American-born player in the NHL.
Patrick Kane, currently a forward with the Detroit Red Wings, is a mere 20 points away from surpassing Modano's impressive 1,374-point record. Kane’s current tally stands at 1,355 points (495 goals and 860 assists) amassed over 1,316 games played with the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, and now the Red Wings. At 37 years old, Kane is demonstrating he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Given Kane's current performance, averaging 0.86 points per game with 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in 14 games this season for Detroit, he's projected to shatter the record sometime in early January.
Modano, with a touch of humor, acknowledges the inevitable. "The end is coming here soon," he chuckled. He recognized Kane's potential years ago, stating, "I knew years ago that he might be one -- that if he stayed healthy, that he would be the guy that kind of goes after it. Obviously, he’s had a phenomenal career and is one of the best ever."
And this is the part most people miss: Modano isn't bitter or resentful. He seems genuinely excited for Kane.
Modano anticipates a call from Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman, inquiring about his presence at the game where Kane breaks the record. "It’s getting down to the nitty gritty, so it’s only a matter of time before I get a call from [Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman] wanting to know if I want to be at a game."
When asked if he plans to attend, Modano responded enthusiastically, "If they ask me to be there, yeah. I’d love to be there and definitely would make the effort to be there for that one. That would be a great milestone, and to see it done would be pretty cool."
Modano claimed the record on November 7, 2007, after a two-goal performance for the Dallas Stars in a 3-1 victory against the San Jose Sharks. That night pushed him past Phil Housley, another Hockey Hall of Famer.
Prior to Modano's achievement, Housley held the record with 1,232 points (338 goals and 894 assists) in 1,495 games played from 1982 to 2003 across several teams, including the Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets, Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, New Jersey Devils, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Modano ultimately retired with 1,374 points (561 goals, 813 assists) after 1,499 games spanning from 1989 to 2011 with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars and the Detroit Red Wings.
Now residing in Minneapolis at age 55, Modano shared his experiences chasing Housley's record and offered insights into what Kane can expect.
"I think the chase was fun, and then you get down to the last few. Then everyone’s mind is on it. Everyone’s asking about it, talking about it. It becomes a little bit more emphasized on a day-to-day basis when you get down to those single digits," Modano explained. He added that the pressure intensifies as the record nears, creating a sense of relief once it's finally achieved.
Modano also recounted a memorable phone call he received the morning after breaking the record. "I was in my room, and our PR guy called and said, ‘Hey, you’re going to get a call, but make sure you pick up this phone call. You should be getting it soon.’ The operator came though, saying, ‘This is Air Force One.’ I thought, ‘Who’s pulling this joke on me?’ And then President (George W.) Bush gets on the phone." This unexpected call from the President remains a cherished memory for Modano.
Modano held the record for a considerable 18 years, following Housley's seven-and-a-half-year reign and Joe Mullen's nine-year tenure before him. Reflecting on his time with the record, Modano said, "Yeah, it’s a long time. I wish I would have played longer to make it harder for him. I think about the time we missed, a whole year and a half with labor disputes (in 1994-95 and 2004-05). You wonder. Sometimes my mind goes to what it would have been if we didn’t miss all those games. It was about 120 games."
But here's where it gets controversial... Some argue that those lost games actually prolonged Modano's career, allowing him to play at a high level for longer. What do you think?
The conversation shifted to the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, where NHL players will participate for the first time since 2014. Modano expressed his excitement for the event, highlighting the success of the recent 4 Nations Face-Off tournament and the anticipation surrounding the return of NHL players to the Olympic stage.
Modano, a three-time Olympian himself (Nagano 1998, Salt Lake City 2002, Torino 2006), emphasized the significance of the Olympics for hockey fans, stating, "For the big hockey fan who looks forward to the best players playing amongst each other, it gets no better than the Olympics, so it’ll be fun."
Recalling his own experiences, Modano reflected on the 1996 World Cup victory, the last best-on-best tournament won by the U.S., and the silver medal won at the Salt Lake Olympics. He highlighted the camaraderie and shared experiences that made those teams special.
When asked about what the current U.S. team needs to do to win, Modano stressed the importance of staying healthy and getting off to a strong start. He also praised the team's goaltending, toughness, and overall characteristics.
Turning to the Dallas Stars, Modano commented on their resilience and ability to come back from behind in games. He acknowledged their talented roster and strong position in the Central Division, but also recognized the challenges posed by the tough competition within the division.
Finally, the conversation addressed Modano's remaining record: the most goals scored by a U.S.-born player. With 561 goals, he currently leads Keith Tkachuk (538), Jeremy Roenick (513) and Joe Mullen (513). Patrick Kane leads all active players with 495, while Auston Matthews trails with 410.
When asked if anyone could catch him, Modano laughed and said, "Well, I thought Matthews was at a pace to kind of go get it. I think he still is. But that might be one that’s a little farther down the road than the points one, so I might hold onto that one a little longer."
So, what are your thoughts? Will Kane break Modano's points record? And who do you think will eventually surpass Modano's goal-scoring record? Share your predictions and opinions in the comments below!
