Arizona Coyotes: Shane Doan Unsure About Future Plans
At age 40, Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan is already in the twilight of his career. His productivity has declined steadily in the past few seasons and he knows that it may be time for him to hang up his skates. However, Doan still enjoys playing and he still hasn't made a decision on his future.
"I really don't know. I truly wish I did. It would make everything so much easier to be able to give a definitive answer, but I don't know," Doan said in an interview with Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic.
"I think there's a chance I come back and play. There's a chance I don't. I think last year, at the end of the year, I was pretty sure I was coming back. And this year, it's not near as sure. But at the same time, there's still a large part of me that wants to," he continued.
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Doan will get the chance to discuss his future with the Coyotes on Monday when the team conducts the season-ending exit interviews with the players. According to Coyotes general manager John Chayka, they will make a decision after the discussion. But he went on to say that he wants Doan to play on next season because he still has a lot to offer on and off the ice.
Doan still hasn't made a decision, but it didn't stop the Coyotes from paying homage in what could be his final game in the Gila River Arena on Saturday. Fans were certainly treating the game like it was going to be Doan's last and Minnesota Wild players like former teammate Martin Hanzal also greeted him with hugs when the game ended.
Doan has been the face of the franchise for over two decades and he definitely deserves the respect. He can still return next season, though. And no matter what happens Doan will always be "Captain Coyote."
