Chris Chelios: The Anti-Brett Favre

See, there is a way to attempt a professional sports comeback without being a complete attention whore.

The 25-year veteran and sure fire first ballot Hall of Famer signed a contract with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL yesterday. Obviously, the hope is to get a call up to the big squad in Chicago, or get traded to a team that needs a serviceable blue liner. The painful reality, however, is that he will probably never get that call up and the end of his incredible career will come in the minors. For the better part of the last 3 season, Cheli has spent his time being listed on the injury report, being a healthy scratch and playing minimal time on the Red Wings 3rd defensive pairing. Sad to say, but the game has really passed him by. Even when he was healthy enough to play, it was clear that his legs simply weren't on the same level with his defensive IQ anymore. Despite the eroding skills, Chelios gets alot of credit for one thing; he's going about his comeback the right way.

For a player who is held in as high regard by everyone around the NHL as Chelios is, it would have been very easy for him to put an ultimatum in front of the Red Wings a few years ago. Trade me, release me, or play me; it's that simple. But did he? No, he took his healthy scratches like a man and used the opportunity to coach up the younger players. You think a young defenseman like Niklas Kronwall has benefited from his knowledge only 20+ years in the league can bring? And when the Red Wings parted ways with him at the end of last season, did he immediately seek out the Penguins or Blackhawks and ask them to sign him? Again, not even close. Yes, the Blackhawks are probably the Red Wings biggest rival, but they came calling for him, not the other way around.

My favorite part of this whole thing is Cheli's willingness to work his way back into the NHL rather than play the legend card in hopes of a deal. I have very little doubt that he could have caught on with a lower level team and started right away. But instead, he decided to go back home to Chicago and attempt to salvage his career where he A) is still beloved for his time with the 'Hawks in the 90's and B) will not be taking away a roster spot from an equally deserving player simply because he's Chris Chelios. A testament to just how right he is handling this situation: even with him being in a rival's organization, he remains the player's representative for the Red Wings. You think Detroit would agree to that if he pulled a Favre on them and held them hostage year after year?

From beginning to end, whenever it may be, Chelios has always done things the right way. Easiest way to figure that one out: Watch what happens if/when Chelios goes back to Detriot as a Blackhawk and compare it to how Favre is going to be received in Green Bay in 2 weeks. You tell me who knows how to handle things correctly.