Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan has not asked general manager John Chayka to trade him before the 2017 NHL Trade Deadline on March 1 at 3 p.m. ET, Chayka said Friday.
However, Chayka said Doan still has time to determine if he wants to play for a Stanley Cup contender, and if that's the case, Chayka said he would explore the potential of trading the 40-year-old right wing who is in his 21st NHL season, all with the Coyotes/Winnipeg Jets franchise.
Doan, who has never has reached the Stanley Cup Final, can become an unrestricted free agent after the season. He also could decide to retire.
"To date we've talked quite a bit and I've left it that if he has a belief that it might be in the best interest for himself and his family to try and take a run at the Stanley Cup I'm open to having that discussion with him," Chayka said. "I wouldn't be fair to Shane to not have that discussion. I respect him too much to not have it. Having said that, he hasn't told me to explore these opportunities and look into things. He's happy with being a Coyote. He signed here for a reason. He's only played here ever. That's where we're at today."
Chayka said he has received phone calls from other general managers inquiring about Doan's availability and his answer remains the same.
"I relay the same thing I just said, that there is potential and I think it's organic for Shane to think about the opportunity," Chayka said. "But to date he hasn't told me that's something I should be looking to explore."
Doan has five goals and 19 points in 56 games this season. He has 401 goals and 964 points in 1,522 regular-season games.
The Coyotes got as far as the Western Conference Final in 2012, the last time they made the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Chayka also said he anticipates being active as the deadline approaches. In addition to Doan, center Martin Hanzal, right wing Radim Vrbata, center Ryan White and defenseman Michael Stone can be unrestricted free agents after the season.
The Coyotes are 29th in the NHL standings with 47 points.
"It's a deadline and deadlines create actions and urgency, and we are urgent to try to improve our group," Chayka said. "We want to be better. We're 29th and we need to be better than that. We have lots of opportunity and optionality and I'm approaching it as a building opportunity."
Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com
Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html
Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html
0 comments:
Post a Comment