Last night the Detroit Free Press announced that Mike Modano had texted them with the words: Big announcement Thursday.

Mike Heika got a text from Mike this morning saying he was currently on the golf course in Scotland with some friends, and would be back in the States at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

A friend of mine scooped both of these sources by posting his blog on Saturday that sources had told him that Modano would sign with the Wings this week. (Way to go, Travis!)

Either way, Mike Modano will be wearing the winged wheel this season. It’s not something any Dallas Stars fan would ever want to see, the face of their franchise wearing that uniform. And to add more fuel to the fire, who do the Stars take on for their first home game? That’s right! The Wings! This could seriously be a PR nightmare for the Dallas Stars, and I cannot wait to witness it! More on that in a later blog.

As for what number Mike may sport, we all know that he won’t be wearing his No. 9 as that belongs to Gordie Howe. There’s a possibility of No. 27, which is what he wore in the All Star games when Paul Kariya had more votes than him. I’m also going to throw out there No. 39, which was his original number with the Minnesota North Stars.

The other Stars news yesterday was that Marty Turco would be taking over the pipes from  Antti Niemi in Chicago. I honestly feel badly for Niemi. This shows why arbitration this late in the summer is a bad thing. I’m not sure he’s going to have a starting job in the NHL this season, as most teams are set. And to think, he was the goalie for the Stanley Cup winners. That being said, I think Turco is going to do well, and show everyone he still has it. Let’s face it, he hasn’t had a real defense in front of him the last two seasons. I’m looking forward to seeing Patrick Kane grab one of Turco’s passes and scooting down to the other end. It’s gonna be a thing of beauty!

Photo: Mike Modano at Dynamo Riga, from the book, “Minnesota North Stars: History and Memories with Lou Nanne,” by Bob Showers; Modano in tie from MikeModano.com.

Kozlov reportedly has his sights set on the KHL.

Here’s a brief summary of some of the hot hockey stories making the rounds in the Russian press this week.

- SKA Saint Petersburg signed ex-San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov to a 4-year, $24 million (USD) contract.

- Reportedly, former Atlanta Thrashers player Slava Kozlov wants to play in Russia. He is in talks with several clubs.

- Kontinental Hockey League studies details on 23-year-old SKA player Igor Misko’s sudden death.

-  The Washington Capitals took four Russians to their summer camp.

-  Detroit Red Wings and team Russia forward Pavel Datsyuk has entered the university in his native city of Ekaterinburg.  He will study sports management.

Photo: Vyacheslav Kozlov by Goddess Kaatiya. Copyright 2009-2010. All Rights Reserved.