It goes without saying that the Arizona Coyotes wanted their captain Shane Doan back for another season, and now at the ripe age of 39, he signed a one-year deal which contains a base salary of $2.5 million, a source said, a deferred signing bonus and incentives that amount to $5 million.
As it was reported here on July 2nd, Doan was close to coming to an agreement with the Coyotes, and it was only a matter of time before a deal was worked out.
His role
Obviously, Doan is anxious to continue where he left off last season where he collected 28 goals, 19 assists in 72 games. The injection of young, speedy players like Max Domi, Anthony Duclair, and Jordan Martinook inspired Doan to play like a much younger man than his 39 years.
His accepting a lesser role on the team, while still providing leadership on and off the ice is what Shane Doan is all about.
He told Arizona Coyotes' Dave Vest:
“We’ve got young guys that are going to take bigger and bigger roles and guys that are going to be taking over everything and doing everything, which has already started to happen,” Doan said. “I’m very aware of the fact that in order for us to really achieve what we want to achieve, I’m going to have to take a lesser role. At the same time, I think there’s lots of things that I can do to provide value to our group. Hopefully I can be supportive and helpful to the guys that we have that are coming in to pick everything up and take it on to the next level.”
Play or retire
Doan who will turn 40 near the start of the 2016-17 season on October 10th, has stated on numerous occasions that he will only continue to play as long as he and the team feel he is making a contribution.
When the deal was announced on July 12th, GM John Chayka told azcentralsports.com Sarah McLellan: "We are thrilled to have Shane back for another year," General Manager John Chayka said in a statement released by the team. "No one has done more for this franchise than Shane. He's one of the best captains in the NHL and we are lucky to have him."
Doan's reply was classic: "I'm happy to sign for another year," Doan said in a statement. "I'm very excited about the players we added this summer and all of the talent we have on our roster. I'm really looking forward to the upcoming season."
Doan's accomplishments are defined by his loyalty to one team his entire 20-year career. He became only the fourth player in NHL history to lead his team in goals at age 39 or older and also passed Dale Hawerchuk for franchise records in goals (396), power-play goals (125) and points (945).
He helped attract free agents
The Coyotes have added some integral parts to an already up and coming team by signing gritty forward Jamie McGinn, defenseman Alex Goligoski, and tough guy Ryan White.
Don't think for a moment that attracting these free agents wasn't at least partially attributed to Doan being on the team. He personally met (along with Head Coach/V.P. of Hockey Operations Dave Tippett) with free agent Alex Goligoski to woo him to play hockey in the desert.
So, who can turn down an invitation like that? Doan is a true competitor, and most every player he's skated with or up against knows that. To play on the same team as him is an honor.
Now, the goal he will strive for and hopefully obtain is to get to the playoffs once again, and that will provide him with perhaps one last shot at a Cup.
It couldn't happen to a nicer guy.