Arizona Coyotes: Shane Doan Retires After 21 Seasons in the NHL
Shane Doan was a great player and leader for the Arizona Coyotes, but he has decided to retire after 21 seasons in the NHL
Shane Doan is a legend. For Canadian fans, he represented the sport and country proudly. He was committed to the Arizona Coyotes for his entire career, after getting drafted by the Winnipeg Jets seventh overall in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He was loyal, gritty, and a adapted to the changes in the game better than most players his age. Doan’s career is finally at an end, as he has announced his retrement.
Some hoped he would sign elsewhere to win a Stanley Cup. Others wanted him to stay in Arizona to see if a Cinderella story was even possible. One could make the argument that the Coyotes owed him at least a few more stints, but business decisions always paint a different picture.
Even Auston Matthews reached out to the veteran forward:
My childhood idol growing up. Amazing player and an even better person. Congrats on an unbelievable career Doaner !
— Auston Matthews (@AM34) August 30, 2017
The Coyotes are going young. They have plenty of prospects, and are hoping for big things this season. Max Domi has plenty of untapped potential, while Anthony Duclair has much to prove. Dylan Strome will get his chance this season, and the “C” should go to Olver Ekman-Larsson. With all these moving parts, it makes sense that Doan could be an afterthought.
What Does the Future Hold for Doan?
More from NHL News
- Should the NHL make referees give postgame interviews?
- Why Carolina Hurricanes fans should be excited for the 2023-24 season
- Why any NHL team would be lucky to add Phil Kessel to their roster
- The New Original Six Teams of the PWHL has been revealed
- The Top 5 Centers in the NHL Today Might Not Be Who You Think
In a fast-paced game, clearly teams are having issues with reaching out to older veterans. Jaromir Jagr is still without a team, but proved he can hang over the last few seasons. At the end of the day, teams know that veterans come with a price tag, and their production is not guaranteed.
If the Olympics are truly off the table for NHL athletes, Doan may have himself a guaranteed spot on the next Olympic team.
The same can be said for Jagr. Nevertheless, both players have an innate compete level, and playing in the NHL was the ultimate goal.
As a fan, it would have been nice to see Doan with the Coyotes for a few more seasons, especially if they improve. However, they may not amount to anything this year, and using a roster spot on a prospect is a much better long-term solution. However, Do not be surprised if number 19 is retired forever in Arizona.