Henrik Sedin, left, and twin brother Daniel are keeping close tabs on Modo, where they played in Sweden before joining the Canucks. Photograph by: Jeff Vinnick-NHL Images , Vancouver Sun

RALEIGH, N.C. — Unlike their linemate Radim Vrbata, Daniel and Henrik Sedin do not have a financial stake in their hometown hockey team.

But like nearly everyone else in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, they have a huge emotional attachment to Modo, the Swedish Hockey League team they grew up watching and played for before joining the Vancouver Canucks.

Sadly, Modo has lost its Mojo. A member of Sweden’s top league since its inception in 1921, Modo is dead last in the standings and, for the first time in its rich history, facing the distinct possibility of relegation.

“I could compare Vancouver to our hometown team in terms of interest,” Daniel Sedin says. “It’s pretty similar. This would be like Edmonton’s situation. There’s panic, for sure. For our hometown, that team means so much. If they go down to the second division, they might never go up again because there is no financial power to really get players. “It is going to be a big blow.”

Modo has lost eight straight games and is last in the 12-team Swedish league. It has just 11 wins in its first 38 games.

“They fired the coach two weeks ago,” Daniel says. “They have played better, but they still haven’t won with him. And now (William) Nylander is back with Toronto and he was probably their best player.”

The Maple Leafs recently recalled Nylander, whom they selected eighth overall in the 2014 entry draft. They wanted him out of a losing environment and the 18-year-old is now playing with the Toronto Marlies, their AHL farm team.

Modo has produced a number of top players, including Peter Forsberg, Markus Naslund, Victor Hedman and, of course, the Sedins.

A relegation playoff will be held at the end of the 55-game regular season.

“The bottom two teams play against the top four teams in the second division for two spots,” Daniel said. “So they still have a chance, but those teams are really good. It’s not going to be easy.”

Henrik remains hopeful that Modo will find a way to survive.

“Even if they finish last there is still a chance,” Henrik said. “I think they are going to turn into a 14-team league, so now you have a bigger chance to stay up. But it’s tough. If they get relegated it’s a blow for our city, for sure.”

bziemer@vancouversun.com

Twitter.com/bradziemer