Last week I reported that GM Glen Sather and the New York Rangers had sincere interest in Phoenix Coyotes captain and current unrestricted free agent Shane Doan. Regardless if the interest was mutual between the two parties, Doan, at the time, would not make a decision on whether or not he will be talking to teams other than the Coyotes about signing a contract that will last him the remainder of his professional hockey career. The hold up? A disaster of an ownership debacle in the city of Phoenix that threatens the departure of the organization from Arizona and to a new location.
Doan, 35, has repeatedly stated that his heart is with the Phoenix Coyotes, as it should be since he's spent all of his 16-year career to date with the franchise. However, signing an extension with the team now could bring about the possibility that Doan ends up finishing his career in a city which he does not deem fit to do so.
Originally Doan set his deadline for today - Monday - to make a decision regarding his availability to the rest of the League for contract talk. That deadline, though, may very well be pushed back further considering the ownership situation in Phoenix has grew even more hairy and will not be resolved within the week. As of right now, though, things do not look great for the Coyotes, so you could imagine the way Doan is leaning here, against his own will of course.
According to various reports, eleven NHL teams are waiting for Doan's decision, and the Rangers are still most definitely one of them. Among others are the Montreal Canadians, Los Angeles Kings and Detroit Red Wings.
Now remember, this contract will likely be Doan's very last before he retires, so he's going to be searching for the best chance of winning a Stanley Cup in addition to a great hockey city with a reputable fan base. Taking both into consideration, you'd think the Rangers and the Kings have to be atop his list, should he proceed as a free agent in the market. As always, money will play some sort of role in it all, but that's definitely not his main priority at this stage of his career.
There's no telling where Doan will end up, or if he will even leave Phoenix in the first place. But according to the latest, the Rangers are very much in on the veteran winger to gain come secondary scoring on their offensive unit.
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