Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Shane Doan Not Even Thinking About Leaving the Arizona Coyotes

12/18/2014 at 12:43pm EST

from Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic,

The Coyotes have failed to make the playoffs since that Cinderella run, and barring a midseason revival, the team seems poised for a third consecutive absence.

This trajectory has led many to wonder if now is the time for Doan to cash in those 19 years of unwavering service, request a trade and seek a championship with a different team.

Apparently, though, Doan isn't one of them.

"It hasn't even crossed my mind," he said. "It's not even something I'm thinking about. I don't foresee me ever making that decision."

Doan and the Coyotes are about as interchangeable as it gets, so it'd be tough to see him slip on a sweater of another color. But no one could blame him for tagging out to chase a personal ambition after being a pillar of optimism through ownership drama and relocation rumors — especially at the age of 38.

But, believe it or not, it's that commitment to the Coyotes that gives Doan plenty of reason to stay.

more

added 1:24pm, More on Doan from Pierre LeBrun below...

Now, Doan may want retire a Coyote; his wife and kids love the Phoenix area and it’s where their going to continue to make their life after hockey.

But not everything is in his control. Let’s say, for example, that general manager Don Maloney comes to him at some point and respectfully paints a picture of a rebuild or re-tooling that doesn’t look great for Doan's final playing days. Perhaps Maloney explains the Coyotes could really use the assets they could get from a contender who would value Doan’s leadership and presence in their lineup.

I think it’s doubtful Maloney would ever do that given everything that Doan has done for the franchise and the area, but I suppose stranger things have happened.

I think that’s where it gets interesting. Even though Doan says he has not given the possibility of leaving a single thought (and if he’s being honest about it), you still can never say never in this business.

more plus the diving issue and Marc Crawford talk...

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About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

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