Shane Doan signs one-year contract with Coyotes

Forward Shane Doan will play a 21st season with the Arizona Coyotes franchise after signing a one-year contract Tuesday.
"I get asked often about the loyalty I feel towards this organization," Doan said. "I get asked why I've turned down other opportunities so that I can keep playing hockey in what some people characterize as not an ideal situation. I've already given plenty of examples of why I love it here, but on a basic level, my biggest reason for wanting to stick around all these years is simple: The organization drafted me to win a Stanley Cup, and I still plan to deliver on my end of the bargain."
Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed, but reports say it could be worth up to $5 million with bonuses.

Doan, who will turn 40 on Oct. 10, is the longest-serving captain in the NHL; he was named Coyotes captain prior to the 2003-04 season.

"I'm happy to sign for another year," Doan said. "I'm very excited about the players we added this summer and all of the talent we have on our roster. I'm really looking forward to the upcoming season."
Doan specifically mentioned the addition of defenseman Alex Goligoski, who signed a five-year contract with Arizona on June 22 after being acquired in a trade with the Dallas Stars, as one of the reasons he decided to return.
"I'm really excited. I'm a huge fan of Goligoski," Doan said. "The whole game is changing to where puck-moving defensemen are so valuable and important. He has an unbelievable shot, and he's a guy that I've played against and you always end up chasing him, and that's never a good thing. I was really excited when the Coyotes were aggressive and made the move to get his rights and get him signed.
"We have, I believe, the best defensemen in the NHL with Oliver [Ekman-Larsson]. I'm as biased as anyone, but I wouldn't trade him for one defenseman in the League. To add someone like Alex to the group that we have coming back was huge for us."
Doan also is a fan of newly signed forward Jamie McGinn, who he said "brings some size" to the Coyotes lineup at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds.
Doan has remained loyal to the Coyotes despite having the chance to test free agency multiple times in his career. Selected in the first round (No. 7) of the 1995 NHL Draft when the franchise played as the Winnipeg Jets, he has 945 points (396 goals, 549 assists) and 1,305 penalty minutes in 1,466 regular-season games, and 15 goals and 13 assists in 55 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He is the franchise leader in games, goals and points.
"I'm honored by the opportunity to do it," Doan said. "I do believe there are players that would do the same thing given the opportunity, and the stability of them keeping me around is what has allowed me that chance. They have always been good to me and my family, and the Valley has been incredible and the fans have been phenomenal to me, and it's become home.
"This is our place."
Doan led the Coyotes with 28 goals last season and had 47 points in 72 games. He thought about retiring after the season ended, but after having one of his best offensive seasons, he decided to play at least one more.
"The way that [coach Dave Tippett] used me throughout the year," Doan said, "it really encouraged me, and at the same time, I'm aware of the fact that in order for our team to get better, I'm going to have to take a lesser role. But at the same time, I think I can help. I did lead the team in goals last year, so I know I can contribute. There's still areas for me to help."

Doan will become the ninth player in NHL history to play at least 21 seasons with the same franchise. Seven of the other eight -- Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio, Steve Yzerman, Stan Mikita, Ray Bourque, John Bucyk and George Armstrong -- are members of the Hockey Hall of Fame. The eighth, goalie Martin Brodeur, who played for the New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues, is not yet eligible.
"We are thrilled to have Shane back for another year," Coyotes general manager John Chayka said. "No one has done more for this franchise than Shane. He's one of the best captains in the NHL, and we are lucky to have him."
Chayka said he never was concerned about getting Doan signed, even after he became a free agent on July 1.
"It was a good process overall," Chayka said. "I know that's shared by Shane and his [representation]. Our approach was mainly, there's no rush throughout the process. It was about making sure we get the right deal for everyone, one that both sides are happy with."
Chayka, 27, hired in May, is the youngest GM in NHL history, and Doan repeatedly has said he backed the hire and the direction the Coyotes are headed. Although they have not qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since making the 2012 Western Conference Final, they had a 22-point improvement last season after finishing with the worst record in the Western Conference in 2014-15 (56 points).
"This is an on-ice move," Chayka said. "Shane Doan had a great year. The way he impacts our team overall and all of our players, I think they are all better players because of Shane, they're all more impactful to the team and organization as a whole. He's a guy that essentially runs the organization, runs the players, and so that's a huge part of it for us. He's our captain, our leader and a guy that brings everything to the next level. We were excited to reach an agreement with him and get him on a team that we feel has a chance to be a real good team if this does in fact end up being Shane's last season."
Doan said he is in no rush to make a decision on his future past this season.
"We'll go forward on a year-by-year basis," he said. "Every athlete always says, 'I think I'll know,' and a lot of athletes don't. I want to be cognizant of that. I have enough people around me that I think will be honest with me and let me know if it should be my last [season]."