Possible Landing Places for Shane Doan

Throughout his seventeen-year career, Shane Doan has been looked at as one of the most respectable figures in the game of hockey. Doan has spent his entire career with the Phoenix Coyotes, a lackluster franchise to say the least, but still gives the franchise everything he has every night. Despite no owner, minimal money, and a lack of star power, Doan has led the poor franchise to the playoffs in two straight seasons, including the Western Conference Finals last season. For you non-hockey fans, Doan is similar to Tim Duncan without rings.

This offseason, Doan is a free agent, and here are his top four landing places.

4. Detroit Red Wings: After missing out on Parise and Suter, the Red Wings are in need of a star player to come and keep Hockey Town alive. Doan would fit in perfectly with Detroit’s gritty style of play and a high-powered offense. The real question is, are the Red Wings willing to spend as much as other teams will on Doan, given that he is already 35 years old?

3. Pittsburgh Penguins: Doan would likely make the Penguins the Stanley Cup favorites in 2013. The Penguins need a center to replace Jordan Staal, and Doan could step in and provide veteran leadership to a relatively young team. In addition, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin can both learn a lot from Doan on what it takes to lead a team.

2. Phoenix Coyotes: Doan’s heart is still in Phoenix, but he will not go back if the team’s financial situation is not stabilized. If the Coyotes are able to relocate or maintain stability in Phoenix, their long time captain will return for another season. Although Doan has proved he can make the Coyotes contenders, it would be much easier to win the cup with any of these other teams.

1. New York Rangers: It seems that whenever the Rangers really want a free agent, they are able to go out and get them. Doan would be a great fit for a coach like John Tortorella. Doan would team up with Brad Richards to provide leadership to the young and dangerous Rangers. There is also a rumor that an “east coast team” (probably the Rangers), offered Doan a 4-year, $30 million contract. This will be by far his largest offer, and it will be extremely difficult to turn down, especially at age 35.

-Langer