Modano Sidelined for Month

Dallas Star center Mike Modano, the NHL’s leading scorer, went on the injured list Thursday with a torn knee ligament that’s expected to sideline him for at least four weeks.

Left wing Benoit Hogue also went on the injured list. He has a hairline fracture in his right ankle that likely will keep him out for as long as two weeks.

Modano went out in the first period of Wednesday night’s game against Edmonton after colliding with Oiler Bryan Marchment, who was given a five-minute major for kneeing and a match penalty.

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Disgruntled forward John MacLean may have played his last game for the New Jersey Devils.

MacLean, the Devil franchise’s leader in games, goals, assists and points, did not make the trip to Pittsburgh for Thursday’s game against the Penguins. He was left home after going public with his request for a trade from the team he’s been with since Oct. 5, 1983.

“It’s a combination of things, really,” Devil President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello said. “He had requested a trade, and because of his years with the Devils I told him I would honor that. Prior to a game the other night, he told the press about that, which I didn’t think he should have done.”

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Boston Bruin goalie Jim Carey, who refused to go to the minor leagues for a conditioning assignment, was sent down anyway after he cleared waivers. Other teams probably declined to claim him because of his $2.22-million salary.

“I’m going to go down and work hard. That’s not a question,” Carey said. “But I’d be lying if I said I was going to enjoy it.”

Rob Tallas was called up from the Bruins’ American Hockey League affiliate in Providence, R.I., to replace Carey.

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Chicago Blackhawk center Alex Zhamnov sat out Thursday night’s game against the Colorado Avalanche because of a concussion suffered in a car accident three days earlier.

In addition, wing Bob Probert underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. He is expected to sit out the rest of the season.

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Colorado Avalanche goalie Patrick Roy was the leading vote-getter for the NHL’s North American all-star team with 68,936, the league announced. The All-Star Game will be played Jan. 18 in Vancouver.

Second to Roy among goaltenders is Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils, with 57,120. Mike Richter of the New York Rangers had 33,441 and John Vanbiesbrouck of the Florida Panthers 31,879.

John LeClair of the Philadelphia Flyers tops the forwards with 66,018, and Paul Kariya, the Mighty Ducks’ unsigned free agent, is fourth behind LeClair in fan balloting with 45,990 votes.

Brian Leetch of the Rangers leads all defensemen with 60,887, and Philadelphia’s Eric Lindros leads the Rangers’ Wayne Gretzky as the top center, 39,760 votes to 35,262.