Modano, Brodeur Are Keen on an Olympic Return

The NHL hasn’t yet decided whether to return to the Winter Olympics, but some of the league’s top players are supporting it.

“I would give it one more shot,” says Dallas center Mike Modano. “I think it being in Salt Lake City, that is really a no-brainer for the NHL.

“It was tough in Japan because it took forever to get there. And once we got there, guys were a little tired and a couple of days later you are playing games. Plus, with the time change it really wasn’t that accessible for people to watch it on TV. But being here in the States, I think it would be wise to give it one more chance and see how it does.”

Goaltender Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils agrees, saying he had a great time in Nagano.

“For people in the United States or Canada that didn’t have a chance to see the games because of the time difference, they should give it another shot,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to it if my name is called to go.”

Modano played on the American team and Brodeur was a member of the Canadian team at the Nagano Games last winter.

DOMINATED BY DOMINIK: Buffalo goaltender Dominik Hasek is a tough opponent for any team, but he’s been especially tough for the New York Rangers.

He has five shutouts against New York in the last two seasons, and has allowed only two goals in the last six games.

What can the Rangers do to beat him? Not too much, Petr Nedved says.

“The main thing is to just shoot the puck, and if he makes the great stops there’s nothing you can do. He’s that good, you have to live that way.”

FAST TIMES IN TORONTO: If Wayne Gretzky will miss anything about Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, it’s the “lively” backboards.

“The bottom part of the boards were so lively compared to any other arena in hockey,” the New York Rangers’ star said recently after playing his final game at the Gardens.

“You could shoot a puck from the left point, hit the backboards and it could hit the back of the boards and come out front to the guy on the other side of the net--bang, bang--quicker than any other building.

“I remember practicing when I played with guys like Paul Coffey and Al MacInnis. We would just stand there and shoot pucks and try to get the angle right on because it caught people off guard.”

The Maple Leafs are scheduled to move into their new Air Canada Centre on Feb. 20. They will play their last game at the Gardens on Feb. 13.