Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE
Thursday night, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 620 posted a tweet that said the following: “It is down two -Phoenix and Vancouver. Coyotes Captain Shane Doan will sign a contract deciding where he will play by 5 pm NY time Friday.” That is 2 p.m. Arizona time.
The news of the announcement has been expected since Doan revealed that he would sign “somewhere” before the current CBA expires on Saturday. The news that Doan is interested in the Vancouver Canucks is also not surprising considering many sources have previously cited Doan’s interest in Vancouver.
The main difference now is there is a set time for Doan’s decision and there is a bit more clarity for the Phoenix Coyotes ownership situation. Prospective Coyotes buyer Greg Jamison has been in talks with the City of Glendale and more specifically, Acting City Manager Horatio Skeete. The City of Glendale and Skeete remain hopeful that Jamison will agree to changes in the lease, which was passed a few months ago, by Friday. If Jamison does agree to changes on Friday, it is believed that the city would have to re-vote on the lease and give citizens at least 24 hours notice before voting. That means that the earliest the city could vote is on Monday, Sept. 17.
Doan has reiterated on multiple occasions his desire to remain with the Coyotes. The decision boils down to this:
Does Doan believe, by 2 p.m. Arizona time, that the Coyotes ownership situation is well off enough to re-sign with Phoenix?
Friday is a landmark day for Coyotes fans and the Coyotes franchise. Many questions will be answered by virtue of Doan making his decision.
