Just weeks after being named the youngest general manager in professional sports, Arizona Coyotes’ GM John Chayka announced that the team’s signing of long-time captain Shane Doan “is inevitable,” according to reports.
In the last year of his four-year, $21.2-million deal, Doan’s been with the franchise since he was drafted by the former Winnipeg Jets in seventh overall in 1995.
Since then, the 39-year-old forward has racked up 945 points (396g-549a) in 1,466 career regular season games with the franchise. Doan ranks first in franchise history in games played, goals, points, power play goals and game-winning goals. He’s third on the team’s all-time list for assists – sitting just one back of tying Dale Hawerchuk for second.
While talks seem to still be in the early stages, it’s clear from what’s been said by Chayka that both parties involved are interested in getting a deal done.
“It’s just a matter of going through that process to reach a deal, because Shane wants to be back,” said the 26-year-old Coyotes’ general manager to Sarah McLellan. “We want him to be back, and we’re going to get something done. It’s just a matter of time.”
While Doan has yet to come close to winning a Stanley Cup, the Coyotes are beginning to build from the draft and having a veteran presence like Doan in the locker room could go a long way to developing the young players that are rising through the franchise ranks.
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