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I updated the entire Rumor Chart this morning. So for the latest on 16 players I am tracking go to
The Rumor Chart. Players are added and adjusted throughout the days as to what percentages I feel their most likely destinations could be. no wagering...
There is much coming out today in the rumor mill regarding Shane Doan...
There are reports his agent is not feeling confident the Coyotes deal is sound, and for the first time in this game I am hearing that Doan may be leaning towards uprooting his family and moving. There are murmurs that Doan will get close to 6per and has offers from eastern teams fro at least that much. I continue to hear Pittsburgh, the Rangers, the Flyers, the Habs and the Sabres out east...The Canucks, Red Wings and Kings out west...I have even heard the Hawks in the last hour...
I have heard all the same rumors you probably have...That Doan will be narrowing his list to 5 teams...not something a player who is staying in Phoenix would be doing, but this is the second time in as many weeks we have heard about the list narrowing process. Last week we heard this as well, and then when things started looking up for the Coyotes all that talk sort of "went away."
What is REALLY happening here?
I have talke to many people close to this. I have talked to friends of Shane. I have talked to teams who have expressed interest. I have talked to teams who have made offers. I have talked to one team who told me they were already turned down by Shane.
The group I haven't gotten a comment from so far, that is staying out of this wisely, is the one group who really may hold the cards now. That would be the NHL.
When I hear what I have heard today I can't help but put some pieces together.
Piece #1: Shane Doan
There appear to be two common threads right now with Shane Doan.
#1. He is all about family first and his family wants to stay in Phoenix. He is giving Phoenix every opportunity to make that happen.
#2. I do believe, from talking to people around him, that Shane is legitimately blown away by the amount of interest there is for him. I don't know if Shane, having always been about home town discounts and such, ever imagined this kind of day would come.
Piece #2. Shane's Agent: Terry Bross
Bross has handled this situation superbly, and shows how an agent can represent his player with dignity and in a way that doesn't have the whole hockey world looking at this like it's an example of some agent trying to make a name for himself. The teams I talk to say Bross has been straight up and communicative throughout. He has handled a market for a player who may not be going to market at all in a way befitting Doan himself. He has the pieces in place and is allowing his client to see all options...while not leaving any team feeling snubbed. Not an easy task...
Piece #3. The Teams waiting.
There are some NHL teams who really, and I mean REALLY, want Shane Doan and are putting off other moves while this plays out. I wouldn't say there is "take it or leave it" pressure yet coming from anyone involved, but the teams do want their fair shot at this.
Piece #4. The Jamison Group
I do believe this will probably get done, but the Jamison group still faces hurdles and constant attacks from all over in the forms of suits and legislation as this team has become almost a symbol of political craziness in the dessert. They can't commit major dollars to Doan until they have the team...
So that brings us to the NHL. The NHL has put more energy into saving this franchise than they have any other in NHL history. The Coyotes have faced constant challenges and the NHL has backed them from Balsillie to Bridgewater.... It never stops. The NHL however has a weakness. The NHL isn't its own entity. The NHL is made up and representing 30 entities in an equal and fair manner.
The NHL is really up a creek here..
The ONLY way to get Shane Doan locked down in Phoenix will be for the NHL itself to approve a contract of $5-6M per for multiple years. The NHL knows how important Doan is to this franchise. The NHL's battle will be much harder if they can't get it done, and if they do get it done they still have Mike Smith as a UFA next season. If Smith turns in another year like he just had we could be looking at another serious contract.
So let's say Phoenix matches a team like the Flyers offer of hypothetically $6M per for 4 years. If you are Ed Snider how do you feel about the NHL, who has spent millions to keep this team treading water, stealing your UFA away. The NHL represents Ed Snider. That money going to Doan isn't Phoenix's money if it is coming from the NHL...It is partly Ed's money. Ed won't be happy if he loses a player this way... (and remember Ed Snider is just one example...It could be Pegula, the Molsons, etc...)
See where I am going with this?
This is real issue. And these offers from other teams are very real. And the NHL's battle to not lose this team is now beyond even one team. The NHL has invested too much in Phoenix to let it go now. They have to up the ante and pay Doan. I don't see any other way. But how much can they afford to pay him if it's possible the NHL themselves will be paying this bill? How much is too much for the Ed Snider's of the world. Ed wants him as a Flyer. Pegula wants him as a Sabre.
more to come..
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