• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Trades Contracts and Transactions

Where Will Shane Doan Call Home Next Season?

By David OConnor July 12th, 2012

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp
Shane Doan (Flickr/ Project-Cat)

Shane Doan (Flickr/Project-Cat)

It’s been just under two weeks since the doors to the free agency market opened up. So far, plenty of big names have made up their minds and chosen where they will be playing come autumn. However, many hockey fans in Arizona are still wondering if their captain will return to The Grand Canyon State next season.

Shane Doan is arguably the best player who is still available. Now thirty-five years old, Doan completed his seventeenth season with the Phoenix Coyotes/Winnipeg Jets organization this past spring.

Reports have suggested the Coyotes’ captain is more than willing to re-sign with Phoenix. But Doan has made it clear he is uncomfortable with the ownership situation. It is well-known around the league that the Coyotes’ aren’t exactly stable at the moment. Tickets have been hard to sell at times, and with the state of the team up the air, the situation is certainly something Doan is concerned with.

“We don’t want to create a false expectation he will leave until it’s a real possibility,” Doan’s agent, Terry Bross, told the FAN590 radio station. “Shane’s first desire is to finish what he started in Phoenix and stay with the franchise and finish his career where he started it.”

Doan was named captain of the Coyotes’ during the 2003-2004 season, and has led the team ever since. Fans of the “Desert Dogs” are wishing upon stars that he will return to their lineup in September, but at this point, by no means is it sure to happen.

There are many teams across the league who have expressed interest in the current unrestricted-free agent – that much is known. According to Bross, there are as many as sixteen teams interested. But what isn’t known is who Doan has reached out to with genuine enthusiasm.

A native of Halkirk, Alberta, a very small village which currently has an estimated population of just over a hundred people, Doan would make for an interesting fit with the Edmonton Oilers in his home province. The Oilers are operating an elite-prospects factory right now, and could really use a veteran presence such as Doan on their first line.

Shane Doan Coyotes

Shane Doan (Icon SMI)

With a young nucleus of Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Justin Schultz, and Nail Yakupov, the Oilers have built up an astonishing core for the future. At the moment, however, outside of Ryan Smyth, Edmonton is lacking leadership on their top three lines. Joining such a young team would be a major adjustment for Doan, especially given the fact he may be looking to make a legitimate run at the Stanley Cup before his retirement. Patience would be required, but the payoff could be huge after just a few more seasons.

If anything can come from what is currently known, it appears Doan will likely sign with a team in the Western Conference. Reports have stated he has received either four or five solid offers already. However, Doan is in no hurry to make a decision.

Another possible destination is Vancouver, British Columbia. According to multiple reports, the Canucks have been all over Doan. At this point, they might just be the favourite. There are many solid reasons for Doan to sign with them: he played junior in B.C., he’s a part-owner of the Western Hockey League’s Kamloops Blazers, and the Canucks offer him the most realistic chance at winning a Stanley Cup. Above all, his wife is from B.C., and as all the husbands out there know, that’s a pretty massive factor. For a player who probably only has a few more good seasons of high-level hockey remaining, this could be a great opportunity to finish his career in a more familiar location.

Shane Doan has been a sporting icon in Phoenix for years.

For all hardcore Toronto Maple Leafs fans, yes, it’s possible Doan will come to the GTA. But don’t get your hopes up as high as the CN Tower; the odds of Doan signing there are somewhere between one and negative five. Technically, it’s still possible. Seriously though, the Leafs haven’t won a Cup since 1967, but hey, who’s counting?

The storybook ending would see Doan signing with the Winnipeg Jets, in the city where it all began. However, much like the Leafs, the Jets probably aren’t going far anytime soon. As much as it would be a perfect fairly tale if he signed with Winnipeg, it wouldn’t make much sense from a career standpoint.

What the Jets did this past season was outstanding, and they deserve full credit for coming back into the league and nearly making the playoffs. But that doesn’t mean they’re going to win the Cup in the next couple seasons. Sure, the Los Angeles Kings won the Stanley Cup after coming into the postseason as the eighth seed, so it can clearly be done. It would be fantastic for the media if Doan came back to the Jets, no doubt about it. Just don’t expect too much.

The Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Pittsburgh Penguins have all been mentioned as possible landing spots for Doan as well.

Family, friends, career goals, personal preferences, and many other factors will ultimately help Doan make the right choice. He’s a great leader, and would be a welcomed addition on almost every team. He’s earned the right to take his time and decide where he will sign his next contract.

If this was an easy decision to make for Doan, rest assured, he would have made it already. The options are there, the fans are calling out, and journalists are getting a little antsy. Doan is taking his time to select the right team and do what’s best for himself and his family. And that’s the way it should be.

________________________________________________

Follow me on Twitter: @DavidOConnor95    “Like” my page on Facebook: David O’Connor

 

 

  • Tags
  • Free Agency
  • Jordan Eberle
  • Justin Schultz
  • Nail Yakupov
  • Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
  • Shane Doan
  • Taylor Hall
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 21st 10:15 AM
Anaheim Ducks

3 Takeaways From the Ducks Series Against the Wild

Jan 21st 10:05 AM
Column

Prospects News & Rumors: Safonov, Coronato & Sebrango

Jan 21st 9:55 AM
San Jose Sharks

5 Sharks’ Takeaways From Blues Series: Faceoffs, Penalty Kills & More

Jan 21st 9:45 AM
Commentary

2020-21 NHL Season Will Require More Depth Than Usual

Jan 21st 9:35 AM
New Jersey Devils

Devils Get Goaltending Depth With Aaron Dell Waiver Claim

Jan 21st 9:15 AM
Anaheim Ducks

Ducks Trying to Avoid Making Same Mistake by Starting Zegras in AHL

Jan 21st 9:05 AM
Boston Bruins

Bruins Fans Should Not Overreact to Slow Start

Jan 21st 8:55 AM
Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens’ Jake Evans Has Been a Pleasant Surprise on the Penalty Kill

Jan 21st 8:45 AM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Highly Anticipated Maple Leafs & Oilers Game Ends Up Underwhelming

Jan 21st 8:35 AM
Fantasy

5 Fantasy Hockey Free Agent Targets

Editor’s Picks
NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information