Signings and trades around the NHL have come at a rather slow place this summer. For example, it was several days after the free agent window opened on July 1 before Zach Parise and Ryan Suter decided where they wanted to play in the coming years. Plus, after numerous rumors throughout 2012, Rick Nash was finally traded to the New York Rangers just yesterday. Other names – like Alexander Semin, Roberto Luongo, Bobby Ryan – still remain in play. And then there’s Shane Doan.
He’s scored 318 goals in 1,198 regular season games with the Phoenix Coyotes organization. It’s the only NHL club he’s ever played for. However, there are strong indications that the 35-year old forward is about to leave the Arizona desert.
One of the many teams he’s been linked to of late has been the Kings – a group he’s no stranger to. Besides scoring more goals and points against LA than any other Pacific Divisional rival, it’s the same team that just eliminated the Coyotes from the playoffs and denied Doan the opportunity of skating in his first Stanley Cup Final.
Immediately following that game there was a lot of controversy surrounding Doan and the Coyotes. Dustin Brown, Dustin Penner, Willie Mitchell and several of the Kings spoke about it on MayorsManor (catch Brown’s exclusive comments here). Plus, even Doan stopped by to weigh-in on things last month.
For the most part, cooler heads seem to have prevailed. Yet, as recently as last week, when we asked Doughty about the idea of Doan joining the Kings he started out with “It’s crazy to think about, given all the bad blood in the playoffs.”
Last night we had a chance to catch up with a few other members of the defending Stanley Cup Champions and here’s what they had to say about the topic…
Matt Greene – “He’s a great player, I mean that’s it. He’s a guy who can definitely improve our team. He’s a big time player in this league. If we’re fortunate enough to get him, then great.”
Jarret Stoll – “I would love it if that happened. He would only make us a tougher team to play against, a heavier team to play against. He battles, we learned that in the playoffs. He’s a tough guy to play against and he always was. I’m sure he wants to win too. So, who knows what happens, but he’d be a great addition if it did happen.”
Doan has already met with members of the Rangers management and is said to be talking with the Canadiens, Flyers, Sharks and Canucks among other teams. Where things stand with the Kings remains unclear at the moment, other than there is definitely interest (along with what’s thought to be a three-year deal on the table).
From a roster standpoint, it sounds like most of the Kings players would bless him coming to LA.
Finally, Doan recently joined the NHLPA talks with the league in New York. There representing the Kings was Kevin Westgarth, who coincidentally would likely be asked to give up his #19 should the Coyotes captain sign in LA. After all, it’s the least he could do to help ease in the new guy, right?
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” There representing the Kings was Kevin Westgarth, who coincidentally would likely be asked to give up his #19 should the Coyotes captain sign in LA.”
Westy gives him his number…. And roster spot???
I doubt Westy would lose his roster spot. If Doan signs in LA, I expect Richardson and/or Lewis to be moved for picks. Both only have 1 year left on their contracts and both would never be worth as much as they are now.
Brown-Kopi-Williams
Penner-Richards-Carter
King-Stoll-Doan
Clifford-Fraser-Nolan
Westie
Looks like a pretty strong lineup to repeat!!!
Keeping Fingers crossed!
Agree with the Westgarth comment, don’t see him leaving. However, not so sure about your line combos. If Doan comes (especially at $5M per season), doubt he’s on the third line. Most likely a top line of Brown-Kopitar-Doan.
Where exactly is Simon Gagne? I’m pretty sure Doan would take Penner’s top six spot, before getting put on the 3rd line. And, in your scenario, Lewis was likely packaged with Bernier to bring someone else who probably cracks the starting lineup…
So, it’s pointless to even go down this road.
The great news is we don’t need Doan, or his whine. But he would make the team better…
I think Gagne is delt to someone for picks as well. I didn’t say anything about a roster player coming back if we trade Lewis. It would strickly be for picks. This years draft is off the hook and any picks we can get would be great.
If we get Doan and that’s a big “If”.. IMO, we can afford to trade Lewis.
John, We could swap Williams and Doan. First line of Brown-Kopi-Doan is real scary. No one would be worring about Kopi, they would be worring about keeping their heads on their bodies with Doan and Brown on the ice.
I wouldn’t mind keeping Richardson as an extra forward with Westie.
I just think there will be some sort of trade or Trades before the start of traing camp. If we get Doan, I expect 2 players leaving for draft picks, if we don’t get doan, I still expect one player leaving for draft picks. My opinion. Gagne, Richardson, and Lewis all won’t be back to start the season.
Could be one or could be 2… That’s my opinion.
Just wondering how good Doan is when you take the 6 games a year against the Kings out?? It seems to me he get 10-20 points against the Kings every year …
I would love it if Shane Doan came to the Kings but for myself personally, living in Phoenix I might be ostacized even more living in enemy territory! Still I say GO KINGS GO!!!
If it ain’t broke don’t try and fix it. The King’s have what it takes to repeat and there deep enough in case of injury to compete. Doan is a good player but a snivler as well, the Kings don’t need that.