Doan announced his retirement from hockey in late August, capping off an illustrious career with the Coyotes which included 972 points (402 goals, 570 assists) in 1,540 career contests. The venerable winger had been the last active player remaining with the franchise that moved from Winnipeg to Phoenix before the 1996-97 season.
Doan may be 39 years old, but don’t write him off just yet. The winger plastered the league for 47 points last season – 28 goals and 19 assists – with a side of 98 PIM (his highest total since 2005-06). Anthony Duclair made a fine case to lead the charge on the front line, but the veteran is very much still in play for a top-six role. With the combination of consistent power-play time (3:03 last year), no fear of laying someone out, and a clean bill of health seemingly every campaign, Doan remains a viable option in many fantasy formats. The seventh overall pick back in 1995 is sure to see some regression after last year's surprising bounceback, but he’s proven that he's still effective and shouldn’t take a backs eat on a youthful roster.
With just 36 points in 79 games last season, Doan finished with his lowest point total in a non-lockout year since 1998-99. He ended up requiring offseason surgery on his toe, which may explain part of the dip in production, but the truth is that at age 38, the franchise icon is also slowing down. As the Coyotes rebuild, Doan will provide mentorship to the next generation of young talent joining the roster, but his own performance is likely to continue its decline. While he figures to begin the year among the 'Yotes top-six forwards, Doan could find himself sliding down to a less prominent role as the Coyotes carve out more minutes for top prospects Max Domi and Anthony Duclair.
Doan had a strong season in 2013-14, scoring 23 goals and 47 points despite missing more than a dozen games. That being said, Doan's days as one of the league's best power forwards are in the rearview mirror, as his shots, PIM and hits have continued to trend downward as he’s aged. Doan will turn 38 during the upcoming season and he should offer some fantasy value with another 20 goals and 40-plus points, but fantasy owners should recognize him for what he is at this stage of his career.
Doan proved to be as reliable as always after his leap-of-faith re-signing just before the lockout. Captain Coyote notched 13 goals and totaled 27 points in 48 games, a pace which was similar to the 50 points he put up in 79 games in 2011-12. Doan is not going to blow anyone away with his numbers going forward, but he should hit the half-century mark once again.
One of this summer's free agency soap operas, Doan remains without a team into August. The factors weighing in on Doan's decision, or lack thereof, lie directly with the uncertainty surrounding the Phoenix Coyotes' ownership issues and whether they will actually be in Phoenix for years to come. Doan is the lone original Winnipeg Jet remaining with the franchise and their captain has been one of the league's most consistent offensive players the last several seasons, despite an overall drop in production. Many of Doan's skills: leadership, grit and hockey sense can't be measured with statistics, but they make him an attractive free agent. Doan's 50 points last season were his lowest output since 1999-2000, but the grizzled veteran has cracked 20 goals in 11 of the last 12 seasons. Wherever he ends up, Doan will have an impact. Whether it's a large offensive one remains to be seen, but his floor of 20 goals and 50 points is quite serviceable.
Doan, whose five-year contract extension expires in 2012, showed no signs of slowing down for the Coyotes last season. The captain tallied 60 points (20 G, 40 A) and has fallen below 50 points just once in the previous 11 seasons (49 points in 2001-02). The Coyotes and their captain face as uncertain a future in the desert as ever after potential owner Matt Hulsizer bowed out of negotiations, but the team has managed to perform beyond expectations in the face of adversity. Look for Doan to continue to shoulder a considerable chunk of the offense heading into 2011-12; there's no reason to think he won't match (or top) the 50-point plateau this season and should be considered a top-20 fantasy right winger.
During 2009-10, Doan did not have a "Doan type" of year. It was the first time in over a decade that he did not register more than 20 goals in a season. Even so, he still led his team in points scored with 55 (18G 37A). After separating his shoulder in the first round of the playoffs, then seeing his team get summarily dismissed by the Red Wings, and adding the low goal production numbers during the regular season, expect Doan to come back with a vengeance and return to form. For the gritty captain, Doan still has the ability to put up 20 or more goals per season.
The heart and soul of the Coyotes, Doan is an incredible story, staying with the organization ever since making his professional debut with the club in 1995, when the franchise was still in Winnipeg. There may not be a more dependable player in the NHL, as Doan has only missed 25 games in the last decade. At 32, Doan potted a career-high 31 goals last season, and enjoyed the second most productive season of his career overall. He added 42 assists and was plus-five on a team that had the fourth-worst goal differential in the league. Doan has proven that he will produce, no matter who he shares a line with.
Last season, Doan carried the Coyotes team on his back by scoring 78 points (28 G 50 A) and with the addition of center of Olli Jokinen, there is no reason why he shouldn't repeat his performance this year. Traditionally, he is a slow starter and don't expect multi-point games from him until the fifth game of the season or so. However, he should finish strong and score plenty of points.
Shane Doan is one of the few franchise players on the Phoenix Coyotes. Last season, marred by an early season back ailment, the captain still mustered a respectable season with 27 goals and 28 assists. A healthy Shane Doan will provide the young Phoenix Coyotes team much needed offense. There is every reason to believe that he will have another 50 point season.
Penalty minutes, powerplay points, game winners. Doan does it all and is a valuable asset to any fantasy squad. His point totals should stay around the 60-point mark.
The captain of the Coyotes should continue his breakout career after his 2003-04 season where he had career highs (27 goals, 68 points) in his ninth NHL season. You should expect more with defenders concentrating on the additions of Nedved and Hull. In 2003-04, Doan ranked 22nd in points with 68 and 24th in assists with 41. More should be expected from Doan, as he is in the prime of his career.
