Winnipeg Jet upfront
The Coyotes have already made three big moves already, including the trade of Mike Comrie on January 3rd to the Ottawa Senators forAlexei Kaigorodov, which showed that the Coyotes had conceded that they wouldn't be able to re-sign the Edmonton native.
February 12th forward Ladislav Nagy was traded to the Dallas Stars for Mathias Tjarnqvist and a first-round pick as Nagy would have been an unrestricted free-agent at the end of this season.
Lastly Captain Shane Doan was going to be traded if he and the Coyotes could not agree to a contract extension before the trade deadline. Doan's biggest concern was the fact that he wanted to be assured that he wouldn't be wasting the prime of his career losing in the desert. The six-foot-two forward out of Halkirk, Alberta has been with the franchise since its days in Winnipeg, drafted seventh overall in 1995 by the Jets. He is the only player still with the team from when they moved the team from Winnipeg.
Quotes from team representatives show that they had no reluctance to sign Shane Doan. "This signing tells you as much about Shane Doan the person as Shane Doan the player" said GM Nick Barnett. Wayne Gretzky added with, "Shane is the face of our franchise and our best player. He plays hard every night and we are thrilled to have him for the next five years.
After signing Shane Doan explained why he came to this decision. "I am very excited about our team and confident about our future. I chose to stay because I love this city and our fans and I want to win here, not any where else." Also he requested some security as the team granted him a no-trade clause in the agreement.
Doan has 19 goals with 36 points and 8 power play goals, and leads the team in all three categories. No question he is the leader of this team, but people have been I wouldn't say critical of the decision but vaguely displeased as some around the league feel that it will drive up prices for above average players who put up Doan type numbers. I understand the concern but disagree as Doan's impact can’t be measured in goals or points scored rather overall play. As his biggest assets are his resolution and the way it affects those around him mainly his teammates, his work ethic and respect received on the ice and throughout the league. He is truly a player to be proud of and root for as the heart and soul of Coyotes Country.
