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DALLAS -- Mike Modano intends to finish his career in the Lone Star State.
Armed with a no-movement clause, Modano told the Sun yesterday that he plans on retiring as a Star.
"When things are going bad, there are certain individuals singled out and it goes for when things are good as well," said Modano. "It comes with the territory when you're here for years.
"I love it here. I love Dallas, (co-GM) Les (Jackson) is the guy who drafted me in Minnesota and I've known him for a long time. (Owner) Tom (Hicks) has been good to us and treated me well. I don't really see any cause or reason for me to go elsewhere."
The 37-year-old Modano, who is signed through 2009-10, would be a hot commodity if he did want to be moved. But one of the first things co-GMs Brett Hull and Jackson did when they took over from the fired Doug Armstrong was make it clear they'd like to surround Modano with more talent.
"Knowing what it takes to win and being around here for so long, you know what type of chemistry you need and what variety of players you need," said Modano. "You'd like to finish your career on a high note. Have some fun. Have some good numbers and just enjoy it."
Stars coach Dave Tippett credited Modano's play as being a big reason why Dallas has turned around its season, winning seven of 10 games to move ahead of the Sharks into first place in the Pacific Division.
Modano has taken off since breaking Phil Housley's mark of 1,232 career points on Nov. 7 to become the highest-scoring, American-born player in NHL history. The Minnesota native had 1,244 points heading into last night's game vs. the Senators.
"That was really weighing on him and you could see it in his play," said Tippett. "I talked to a lot of different people before it happened and there's certain things that come with the pressure of doing that. He's so well-liked within our organization, that there were games where it looked the main goal of the power play was to get Modano points.
"He's taken off since he got it. (Sergei) Zubov told me after it happened, 'Watch (Modano) go now.' That comment spoke volumes about how much it was weighing on him."
OFF THE GLASS: Senators GM Bryan Murray won't be picking up W Mark Recchi, who was placed on re-entry waivers yesterday by the Penguins. "He'd be a good veteran in the room, but he's not what we need right now. We're not going to be making a claim," said Murray. Recchi was assigned to the AHL on Thursday, one day after clearing waivers. Other NHL teams now have the option of claiming Recchi for half of his $1.75-million US contract with the Penguins paying the other half. The Thrashers and Canadiens are believed to be interested ... Stars G Mike Smith would love to see more of the Canadian teams and hopes the NHL can come up with a schedule that will allow every team to play each other twice a year. "It would be good idea. You would get to see the guys like (Sidney) Crosby and people up in Canada would get more of a chance to see a guy like Modano. It's important that everybody gets to see every team," said Smith. "You can go two or three years and the Stars won't even play in Ottawa or Toronto." Smith, a Kingston native, said a visit to Ottawa by the Stars would be good for ticket sales at Scotiabank Place. "It'd be tough on the wallet, but it'd only be once a year," Smith said with a laugh ... Senators D Chris Phillips was hoping to catch a few winks on the four-hour flight home from Dallas last night. He'll be on the road to Mont Tremblant this morning with his wife, Erin, to participate in the 24 Hours of Tremblant. Phillips is an ambassador for the event, which helps raise money for charities that support children and their families who are dealing with cancer.