After playing over 1,500 games for the Arizona Coyotes organization, Shane Doan has told reporters that he would waive his no-movement clause for a chance to win a Stanley Cup.
“It would have to be so perfect, so right. It’s pretty hard for it all to line up perfectly,” he said.
Shane Doan Could be Finished with Arizona Coyotes
Doan has been a part of a Coyotes team that has struggled throughout his entire career. They have made the playoffs nine times, only making it out of the first round once. Doan and the Coyotes barely reached a one-year deal last off-season. Since scoring 28 goals last year, Doan got a reduced role on a young Arizona team this season.
Also, the Arizona Coyotes are in the middle of a re-build of which Doan is not going to be a part. With so many young players such as Christain Dvorak, Max Domi, and Lawson Crouse, the Coyotes are giving them more opportunities to learn and grow. Head coach Dave Tippett made that clear to Doan and acknowledged why it was so important.
It’s of little surprise that Doan is contemplating a trade. Teams have been interested in him in the past. This is really the first time that he has reciprocated interest in moving to a Cup-contending team.
The 40-year-old right winger would slot in as a fourth-line player on a good team. The California teams have expressed interest in Doan before. The San Jose Sharks have had him on their radar for a few years. Daryl Sutter loves players like him with the Los Angeles Kings. The Anaheim Ducks have a fourth-line right winger spot available.
But, he’s not the only player to leave his life-long post to try to win a Cup. Mike Modano, Jarome Iginla and Daniel Alfredsson are a just a few that left but were unsuccessful. After leaving their teams, Modano announced his retirement at a press conference in Dallas, where he spent 16 seasons. Alfredsson signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Ottawa Senators where he spent 17 seasons. It’s likely that if Doan left he would retire as a Coyote.
A Cup is not the be-all and end-all for Doan. “My whole goal has been to win a Stanley Cup,” he said. “But I’ve played with guys who haven’t won Stanley Cups who I’d consider to be the ultimate winner, and I’ve played with guys who have won Stanley Cups who don’t compare to those guys who haven’t.”
Doan has been a phenomenal ambassador for hockey in the state of Arizona. His imprint on the desert-hockey scene will continue long after he hangs his skates up. Most of all, he’s a fan-favourite who will always have the support of the Arizona faithful. A great player who’s had a great career just wants one shot at Lord Stanley.
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