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Is Shane Doan 2012's version of Ron Francis circa:1990? Halpern to NYR |
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Just a quick addition to the Shane Doan talk today.....
It is being reported Doan has anywhere from 10-17 teams expressing interest.
The Arizona Republic list The Penguins, Kings, and Red Wings as where Doan would consider signing if he does decide to leave town. it's a list I concur with completely. And while I am sure the Flyers, Rangers, Hawks, Sabres, Sharks and Leafs will certainly make pitches...I am banking on a three way race between the LA, Pit, and Detroit.. Were I a betting man I would go with Pittsburgh here...based on some sources I have talked to since the season ended. Possibly San Jose...
So why are so many teams interested in Shane Doan? Isn't he just an aging player who has never won anything with Phoenix going way back to the Jets days?
Well, for all you youngness out there, let me tell you a story of a player who started with an original WHL team that never achieved much and had to move south to a new market, but after ten NHL seasons would be dealt to a team and proved to be the kind of leader his new team needed to get over the hump and win back to back Stanley Cups upon his arrival...
That player would be Ron Francis and the similarities to Doan are pretty staggering..
* Both players were drafted in the first round Francis (4th overall), Doan (7th overall) by teams who had joined the NHL as part of the WHA merger...Francis in Hartford, Doan in Winnipeg.
* Both players teams were relocated to far less "traditional hockey markets in the south. Francis' Whalers moved to Carolina and Doan's Jets moved to Phoenix.
* Both players won NHL's King Clancy Trophy for leadership. (Francis 2002, Doan 2010)
* Both players were constantly praised for being smart in their own end while putting up points as well.
* Both players were majorly involved members of Team Canada whenever called upon.
The Francis story...
In the 1990-91 Season the Penguins had Mario Lemieux in his prime and several other great hockey players, but had still managed to never win a Stanley Cup. In fact, in 1989-90 the Penguins didn't even make the playoffs. Then, at the trade deadline in 1990-91, the Penguins acquired Ron Francis and Ulf Samuelsson from Hartford and 3 months later won their first of back to back Cups.
In nine seasons with Hartford Francis had played in only 23 playoff games total and put up 19 points. In his first two season in Pittsburgh, en route to winning two Cups, Francis played in 45 playoff games collecting 41 points. Francis went on to put up huge numbers in Pittsburgh. His highest season was 95-96 where he scored 119 points in 77 games.
Many credit the acquisition of Francis as a character player when speaking about what turned a Penguins team full of young talent into a Champion...something many of the current teams interested in Doan are seeking as well..
Of course there are differences in the two players' games as well.
Francis retired as the 4th leading NHL scorer of all-time with 1798 points in 1731 games. So yes, there was more offensive upside to Francis' game than there is to Doan's game. Then again Francis played 9 years with Hartford/Carolina before being traded, Doan has played 17 years with Winnipeg/Phoenix.
Francis also won 3 Lady Byngs...something Doan, with over 1000 PIM in just over 1000 NHL games has never been in the running to win...
All that being said...When I am talking to teams about Doan I keep hearing traits being mentioned that very much remind me of Ron Francis....
Halpern signed with the Rangers..
A little under the radar, but a cheaper alternative to Fedotenko. I have always been a fan of Halpern and the character he brings to a team..
More in the AM
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