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Shane Doan has been with the Phoenix Coyotes franchise all his career. It’s all he knows. With 15 years in Phoenix (and one in Winnipeg), it seems like the Coyotes’ captain would have some sort of extra loyalty to the franchise. He does and that’s what makes his current free agency so difficult. Doan doesn’t want to leave the city he’s called home to since 1996.
While the Coyotes are in the midst of getting their ownership settled, Doan wants to know that the franchise will still be in Phoenix for the duration of his contract. He’s giving them every opportunity by delaying his decision, but eventually one will have to be made. He’s loyal, but how long can loyalty last with so much uncertainty?
Doan has been one of the most sought-after players this offseason, getting many contract offers and interest from teams, including a reported 4 year, $30 million deal from a mystery Eastern Conference team. 16 teams have some level of interest in the 35 year old. The age factor has to play in for some teams’ interest, as his cap hit will count no matter what happens.
However, his first choice is to stay in the desert and he doesn’t seem to want to make a decision before the Coyotes’ situation is figured out. Especially since the Coyotes made it to the Western Conference Finals last season. If he does decide to leave Phoenix, one would assume he’d go to a team that has a good shot at winning.
While he waits, Doan has been keeping busy working with the NHLPA on the new CBA. While in New York for negotiations, he met with the Rangers and Flyers but left the east coast with no deal signed.
Where do you think Doan will sign? Does he leave the city he’s called home to for over a decade in search of hockey’s holy grail? Or does he stay put, even if the Coyotes aren’t one hundred percent settled in Phoenix?