Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE
On Friday afternoon, Shane Doan confirmed what we had all suspected the entire time: he will remain with the Phoenix Coyotes, probably for the remainder of his career.
Doan agreed to a four-year deal with the Coyotes, worth just over $21 million. He had initially asked for over $30 million, but speculation is that he was trying to price himself off of the market. He pretty much did that with his demands, despite getting offers from a couple of teams.
Ultimately, it was believed to have come down to the Coyotes and the Vancouver Canucks. Vancouver would have been the next best thing as far as his family goes, and would probably have given him a decent shot at winning a Stanley Cup. Instead, he remains with the only franchise he’s ever known.
You’d have to think that the signing means that the ownership situation in Glendale will eventually be solved and Greg Jamison will soon be able to finalize his purchase of the team. Of course, the impending lockout set to begin on Saturday throws a tremendous wrench in that.
Doan remains the face of the franchise for the Coyotes, the team he’s played over 1,200 games for. Doan’s Coyotes career has included almost 800 points and just two playoff series wins, coming this past season. You do have to appreciate the loyalty from the captain, when he had a chance to bolt.
The deal gets done under the wire, as the league is set to head to a long lockout beginning on Saturday. Regardless of what happens with the ownership and the lockout, it’s a relief to finally have this deal done, for the Coyotes, Doan, their fans, and the rest of us.
