Doan looking for 4yrs - $30M

[Fred Bear]

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2...eaves-phoenix/

This seems to be why the long-term deal looks good... reasonable payment at the end of a career...

I have no problem with Doan, he's a hard worker and a terrific player. But... $7.5M a year for the end of his career?

Doan has never produced at a point a game over his career (Parise has 2 yrs with better than 1pt/g and Semin even has 2 yrs over a pt/g). Granted, Doan has a career 0.65 pt/g and that includes more than a couple seasons on some 'bad' teams. He's a leader, but even the best tailed off at the end of their careers... (Only 11 players had over 0.65 pts/g as 40-yr olds and 2 of those 11 were Al MacInnis' 3 game 'season' in 03-04 and Mario Lemieux's 26 game season in 05-06).

It sounds like he's willing to discount his price to stay in Phoenix, but, man, to even ask for that kind of money... Who's going to pay it? (I almost believe someone will at this point)

For reference, I also looked at Jari Kurri, Luc Robitaille, and Ron Francis who had similar seasons as 35-yr olds to what Doan did last year... Kurri was declining and out of hockey 2 years later. Robitaille played 3 more seasons topping 0.5 pt/g once. And Francis had the best run post-35, playing until 40 and maintaining a 0.5 pt/g or better pace (though still off his pt/g career numbers).

[Wickabee]

Doan's PPG is one thing, but his intangibles are another. He has more heart than 99% of the league and I think he's at a point where he'd almost lay down his life for a Cup. He may never have won anything, but he's one of the better leaders in the league. He just sort of ended up in a comfortable situation with a team he loves in a city he loves. If Nash liked Columbus more, he'd still be on the same path.
I would LOVE the Canucks to get Doan, even at that price. With him it's not about the points. It's about heart, leadership, smarts, grace an experience. He has all that in spades (minus playoff experience, but even there, he went to the Conference Final).

[xelloss1012]

A player at 35+ averaging maybe 60 points a season for that asking rate........not a chance.

I don't think he will find anyone that will want him for that price, at least not in the NHL...

[30ranfordfan]

Everytime I hear Shane Doan mentioned, I can't help but think of an interview with Sean Avery in THN a few years back.....

To paraphrase":

THN: "So Sean, you were voted 'most overrated' by the players who took our survey. Care to comment?"
Avery: "I'm a little surprised. Is there anyone out there that actually thinks I'm any good?"
Avery: "But seriously, how many votes did Shane Doan get?"

Doan has NEVER been a dominant player at any point in his career. If a guy who brings what he does to the tbale was 27 and asking for that kind of money - it'd be too much. He's a good player, I'd love to have him on my team..... but on a true contender - he's a 3rd liner.... maybe 2nd.

If he's seriously asking for this kind of money, he'll be waiting a long time to get it.

[HOCKEY68]

Everytime I hear Shane Doan mentioned, I can't help but think of an interview with Sean Avery in THN a few years back.....

To paraphrase":

THN: "So Sean, you were voted 'most overrated' by the players who took our survey. Care to comment?"
Avery: "I'm a little surprised. Is there anyone out there that actually thinks I'm any good?"
Avery: "But seriously, how many votes did Shane Doan get?"

Doan has NEVER been a dominant player at any point in his career. If a guy who brings what he does to the tbale was 27 and asking for that kind of money - it'd be too much. He's a good player, I'd love to have him on my team..... but on a true contender - he's a 3rd liner.... maybe 2nd.

If he's seriously asking for this kind of money, he'll be waiting a long time to get it.

You don't need to always dominate,you need HEART and SOUL and DOAN is one of a few that has it,more than what i can say about anybody on the oilers and habs!

[CJ1510]

You don't need to always dominate,you need HEART and SOUL and DOAN is one of a few that has it,more than what i can say about anybody on the oilers and habs!

He's a perfect fit for the Flyers b/c of his grit too but sorry, grit/heart/soul and 60 pts a year isnt enough for the money he wants.

[30ranfordfan]

Not sure what the Habs or the Oilers have to do with it..... I'd agree 100% Doan would improve either team - but so what? You win games by scoring goals, and keeping them out of your net. If you're going to pay $7.5m a year for a player, he had better come with ELITE talent. That's something that Doan doesn't have.

For half that money - great pickup. For what he's asking - every team in the league will balk.

You don't need to always dominate,you need HEART and SOUL and DOAN is one of a few that has it,more than what i can say about anybody on the oilers and habs!

[g-force]

Definitely not worth $7.5 million in the cap era. $3-4 million maybe but given his age, his production is likely to decline from this point forward.

[flopfish]

Let's look at free agent forwards left that will bring a leadership presence with 50-60 points and 20+ goals a year and 150+ hits: Shane Doan.

The salary may be big, but that's very similar to an offer he reportedly had out East. Remember some factors: Doan doesn't want to leave Phoenix, he will bring valuable leadership and clutch performances, along with 50-60 points. Yes it is at the end of his career, but he's proven he can still perform. Is 7 mill/year too much? Yup, but seeing the going rate of some players, it's not too much of a shocker. If he wants to be a contender, he will have to lower his asking price however.

[centrehice]

You cannot cite examples unless the players you are comparing with played for both the old Winnipeg Jets, and Phoenix.

Doan has never played for a Franchise that knew anything about running a Hockey Team.

He's had to make his bones in obscurity with little help in the talent pool and with nobody watching.