from Mike Johnston of Sportsnet,

That Modano/Babcock storyline was frequently brought up by hockey fans and pundits after Babcock’s decision last week to make respected veteran centre Jason Spezza a healthy scratch for the Toronto Maple Leafs home opener was met with widespread criticism.

“I felt for Jason,” Modano told Good Show on Sportsnet 590 The Fan Thursday. “I mean that’s just hard. As you get older you have scenarios that play out that maybe you thought shouldn’t play out at the time. …

“I enjoyed Mike at the beginning of the year and then I got injured and kind of out of the system and fought my way back. It was a tough pill to swallow to miss one of the last three games to get 1,500. It’s a bitter pill but for some reason, some way that was his decision and you gotta live with it the rest of your life.”

Modano, who described playing under Babcock as a “unique experience,” was asked if he thinks anyone can change Babcock’s mind once it’s made up.

“Uhh, I don’t think so. I don’t think so,” Modano said while laughing.

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