Some Arizona Coyotes fans are concerned and unclear why the team hasn't put a pen in captain Shane Doan's hand so he can sign a one-year contract with the only team he has ever played for... yet, no worries it will happen.
When new GM John Chayka was asked about Doan re-upping with the team, he told azcentral.com:
“Shane is so passionate about our team and our roster,” Chayka said, per AZ Central. “He’s excited to see some of the things we’re doing. It just adds a lot of clarity of how he can fit in and help grow the group and take this team to the next level. That’s his goal.”
Shane Doan defines passion when it comes to hockey, and especially HIS Arizona Coyotes' team.
Age 39 was good for Doan
This past season at the ripe young age of 39, he did the impossible. When a hockey player hits his late thirties, he seems to slow down a bit -- well, unless you're an ageless wonder like Jaromir Jagr.
But, not unlike Jagr this past season Doan accomplished 28 goals to outmatch match Jagr by one. Someone needs to find out the youth serum they're both consuming and pass it around.
It is a certainty that Doan will sign a contract soon, and according to John Shannon (@jsportsnet): If you have Shane Doan on your UFA list...don't bother...hearing new deal in Arizona is close. Not going anywhere. #SigningSeason
That should quiet the skeptics that Doan will jump ship for another team.
You see, Doan and his family love living in the Valley of the Sun. They are settled here, and his kids are in school here, so the love affair with Arizona is never ending. Doan is an active member off the ice as well, volunteering his time, and money to contribute to the community. A true partnership.
He's been there through the hard times
Doan proved that when the franchise was on the cusp (more than once) of leaving Arizona due to many soap-opera factors (mostly because the team did not have solid ownership)... that he was staying put, even after the NHL ran the team for four LONG years.
Did Doan say "I'm outta here?" Nope.
He stuck it out because you are not going to find a more upright, high-class individual in the NHL than Shane Doan. He is respected without question, and if you line up against him on the ice, you had better be ready for the fight of your life. He eats, breathes, and sleeps Coyotes hockey.
No CUP yet...
His only career goal which may not be obtained is a Cup. In his 20 years of playing this exciting, fast sport, the closest he came to drinking from Lord Stanley's Cup was the 2011-12 season when the team went to the Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Kings, only to be eliminated.
Now, with this more than likely his twilight season (but who knows) in the NHL, the chances are getting better that he could win that coveted championship, but it may take this current team another two-three years to get there.
Captain Ekman-Larsson is ready to take over
The sad part of it is... the team will go into shock once Captain Coyote does decide to retire, but there is so much enthusiasm in Doan's complete outlook on life that he and the team will survive. It is a foregone conclusion that rising star Oliver Ekman-Larsson will take the captaincy over, and he is already being groomed to do just that.
In fact, it is not without merit to consider that Doan will be in the Coyotes' organization in some capacity when he does hang up his skates, and his familiar number 19 jersey hangs from the rafters of whichever arena the team calls home.
So, one more dance is in store for this tough competitor, and as he mentioned at the end of last season, he will assess his level of play, and as long as he and the team feel he is contributing, will make that decision with his family if playing another season is in the cards.
Now, please someone hand Doan a pen, and let's play some hockey.