Doan said he wavered between trying to continue playing and retiring all season. He used the 20-year reunion of the first Coyotes team in February to seek advice of former teammates and players he learned from and respects, as well as friends and foes all over the NHL in a season where his goal production dropped from 27 to six at the age of 40.
"Some people tell you, 'Play as long as you can, because once you ring that bell you can't unring it,' and, 'Make them take that jersey off you,'" said Doan, who has 402 goals and 570 assists in his NHL career. "Then there is certainly amount of 'if they think you can still play, don't go out there and prove them wrong. Step out with a little bit of class.'"
He shared the factors that be at the top of his list as he makes a final decision, one that might be only partially his to make.
"Whether or not I think I'm embarrassing myself if I come back will be one," Doan said. "Whether or not I can accept the role I would play, or if there is a role for me. My family … the balance has been so much in my favor, but at some point there has to be a breaking point because they have given up an awful lot."
Doan remains undecided, but everyone else was hedging their bets on Saturday, not wanting to miss the chance to pay homage to "Captain Coyote."