Shane Doan was clearly unhappy after seeing teammate Martin Hanzal traded from Arizona, and it’s still possible the lifelong member of the Coyotes will follow him out of town.
Even though the 40-year-old winger has resisted opportunities to leave in the past, he’s now facing the possibility this is his final chance to win a Stanley Cup. Doan holds a full no-movement clause and Coyotes GM John Chayka is letting the captain dictate where things go trade-wise.
“He’s suggested to me he signed here to be a Coyote, he’s only ever played here, that’s where he wants to finish his career,” Chayka said Sunday on a conference call.
“Having said that, would I guess that and have we talked about [a trade]? You know, there’s some bits and thoughts towards what would a better opportunity look like with his last year – the potential last year of his career – to take a run at a Stanley Cup. I think that’s natural for him to have some of those thoughts. He hasn’t come to me and said: ‘Look, I want to pursue other opportunities.’
“And that’s where we’re at today.”
There’s still time for that conversation to happen with the trade deadline looming at 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
Hanzal spent 10 seasons with the Coyotes and was dealt to Minnesota just before Sunday night’s game against Buffalo. When Doan was interviewed at the first intermission by Fox Sports, he was visibly shaken by the news.
“It’s really hard,” said Doan. “I mean obviously, he’s a huge part of our team and someone that you get to play with for 10 years, you appreciate and you understand how valuable and how you can’t really replace him. And the fact that we just continue to, uh … seem to go … I don’t know.
“It’s hard, it’s hard to understand how exactly. I mean, you understand people’s hands are tied and you just don’t get it.”
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Doan was the seventh overall pick by the Winnipeg Jets in 1995 and has played for the franchise ever since – an astounding 1,528 games.
He’s played through the 1996 move to the desert, 2009 bankruptcy case and numerous ownership changes and instability. In the process, Doan has only been past the first round of the playoffs once.
Chayka understands why he might have been frustrating after seeing another core member of the team turned into draft picks.
“I think Shane’s response is one of frustration that I share with him, but I think I did the right thing and that’s all I can do,” said Chayka.
