SB Nation Arizona: All Posts by John De Groote

Shane Doan Resigning Brings Stability To Phoenix Coyotes

2012-09-16T02:00:04Z

It's hard to imagine a Phoenix Coyotes team without Shane Doan, simply because there hasn't been one.

Doan was drafted fifth-overall by the then Winnipeg Jets in 1995 and made the move to the desert when the team relocated the season after.

Doan assumed the captaincy in 2003–04, and has been the most consistent aspect of the Coyotes franchise since then. His resigning Friday, for a reported four years and $21.2 million, secured that Doan will be a Coyote lifer.

Things have not been rainbows in butterflies this offseason in Phoenix. Greg Jamison was on the verge of purchasing the team, but struggles with the city of Glendale have led to complications in the sale and lease agreement.

Doan was supposedly waiting for the deal to go through before resigning, but with the NHL players set to be locked out by the owners at midnight Saturday, he had no choice.

"I wish that it was completely done, and well it's not done," Doan said. "The questions have been answered in regards to Mr. Jamison having the money and Mr. Jamison having the approval from the league supposedly. He's just waiting on the lease agreement, and those three things line up then this will be done. That's kind of where we're at."

It was never clear if Doan would stay or go. While it was hard to imagine that Doan would leave the city he had called home for 15 years, he was the most sought after player on the NHL free agent market for the majority of the offseason. At one point or another, he was linked to nearly every NHL team.

What Doan's signing does is bring stability to the Coyotes franchise—which have been anything but that lately.

The Coyotes had their campaign in franchise history last year, but the faces in the locker room will look tremendously different this year. Veterans Ray Whitney, Taylor Pyatt, Michal Rozsival and Adrian Aucoin all bolted for new teams this offseason.

One thing that won't change next season is who will be wearing the C. Having Doan around will do wonders for the team as they enter the 2012-13 season (when it does eventually start).

"It was enticing to hear the offers, but this came down to the job this organization has done over the last few years," Doan said of his decision.

Doan has been the model of loyalty during career with the Coyotes franchise. His resigning Friday secures that he will go down as the greatest player in Coyotes history.

The Shane Doan Chronicles: Are The Phoenix Coyotes Still In The Running?

2012-07-16T22:39:19Z

The latest report on the Shane Doan front is that the leagues' most star-studded team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, have offered Doan a contract that would put him alongside former MVP's Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

As you may have heard, the Penguins are not the only ones to express interest in the Doan. John Gambadoro of KTAR in Phoenix has the count up to seven teams who have offered Doan a contract, and one of those offers is reportedly a ludicrous four years, $30 million offer.

On that list are: The Coyotes, the Penguins, the Los Angeles Kings, the San Jose Sharks, the Detroit Red Wings, the Buffalo Sabres and the Vancouver Canucks. If you add the teams who have expressed interest, but have not offered a contract yet, the number is easily in double digits.

While the Coyotes are on that list, do they really have a shot to keep their former captain, and Coyote lifer in town?

Look at the teams on the list. The Red Wings, Canucks and Penguins are all perennial contenders for the Stanley Cup and give Doan the opportunity to play along names like: Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Joe Thorton, Henrik and Daniel Sedin, and of course Crosby and Malkin.

Martin Hanzal and Antoine Vermette don't sound so inviting anymore, do they.

And then there is always the possibility that Doan could pull a Steve Nash and go to the rival Los Angeles Kings. The Kings and Coyotes series in the Western Conference finals ended with Doan exchanging a series of expletives with Dustin Brown in the handshake line, after Brown's cheap shot on Michal Rozsival. Can you imagine Doan and Brown embracing each other after a big OT winner?

However, the Kings did just win the cup, and have much more talent the roster than the Coyotes. This, coupled with the draw of LA, could tip the scales in their favor.

Then there is also that whole "our team is not a complete mess with no owner, and we do not have a city that is literally petitioning to get us out of town" pitch that all these teams are giving Doan. Doaner wants to be a Coyote, but you have to imagine that Doan continuing to extend his deadline is not a good sign. It could be because he wants the ownership situation to be completely resolved before he commits somewhere, or it could be because he is having a hard time coming to terms that leaving the desert is actually the better option.

Loyalty only goes so far. When Doan finally calls it quits, he will be remembered for his time in a Coyotes' sweater, but right now, the prospect of Doan returning to the ice wearing the "C" for the Coyotes next season seems unlikely.

Poll

Will Shane Doan be a Phoenix Coyote next year?

Yes

90 votes

No

66 votes

156 votes | Poll has closed

Phoenix Coyotes Sign Sean Burke To Extension, Smith Next?

2012-07-11T06:30:45Z

Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have signed Sean Burke to a multi-year contract extension to serve as Assistant to the General Manager/Goaltender Coach. In addition to his current responsibilities that include overseeing all goaltenders in the Coyotes system and player development, Burke will now work with Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney, Assistant General Manager Brad Treliving and Director of Hockey Administration Chris O'Hearn in all areas of hockey operations.

The resigning of Burke could entice the Coyotes breakout star of 2011-12, Mike Smith, to sign a contract extension with the team. The Coyotes have attempted to offer Smith an extension, but the goaltender wants the ownership situation settled before he does. Knowing his goaltending coach, and friend, Burke will be with the team for the long haul, could be enough for Smith to sign the dotted line.

"We are very pleased to sign Sean to a contract extension," said Maloney. "For the past three years, Sean has done a tremendous job working with all the goaltenders in our organization helping them improve and succeed on the ice. We look forward to him continuing in this role and also assisting our hockey operations department in all areas of the business."

It is no coincidence that the Coyotes netminders have been stellar since Burke signed on.Under the guidance of Burke, the Coyotes goaltenders have flourished the past three seasons. In 2011-12, Burke helped Coyotes netminder Mike Smith reach career highs in games played (67), wins (38), goals against average (2.21), save percentage (.930) and shutouts (8). Smith ranked fourth in the NHL in wins, tied for third in save percentage, tied for third in shutouts and ranked ninth in GAA. In the post-season, Smith ranked tied for first in shutouts (3), third in save percentage (.944), fourth in wins (9) and seventh in GAA (1.99).

In addition, in 2011-12, Coyotes goaltending prospect Mark Visentin won the Dave Pinkney Trophy for the OHL's lowest GAA (shared with Christopher Festarini). In 2010-11, Visentin was named the OHL's Goaltender of the Year and was selected to the OHL's First All-Star Team. He also won bronze (2012) and silver (2011) medals with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships.

In 2010-11, Burke helped Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov become the first Coyotes goaltender to record consecutive 30-plus win seasons (36 and 42) since Nikolai Khabibulin (1996-99). Bryzgalov also became the all-time franchise leader in wins (130) passing Bob Essensa. In addition, Bryzgalov (7) and Jason LaBarbera (2) tied the team franchise record for shutouts in a season (9) set in 1998-99 by Khabibulin (8) and Jimmy Waite (1).

During his first year as the Goaltending Coach in 2009-10, the Coyotes allowed the fewest goals in the Western Conference while goaltenders Ilya Bryzgalov and Jason LaBarbera ranked third in the NHL with a 2.34 goals against average (GAA).

Under Burke's tutelage, Bryzgalov enjoyed a career-year while being named a Second Team NHL All-Star and finishing as the runner-up for the Vezina Trophy and was fifth in the voting for the Hart Trophy (League MVP). He also shattered the franchise record for wins in a season (42) and tied the franchise record for shutouts in a single season (8).

With Burke's guidance, LaBarbera also enjoyed a tremendously successful season and finished with a record of 8-5-1 with career-bests in GAA (2.13) and SV% (.928). LaBarbera posted a 6-1 record in shootouts and had a career-long shutout streak of 120:48 from Feb. 5 to Mar. 14, which included parts of three games.

Burke, a former NHL goaltender, spent parts of five seasons with the Coyotes from 1999-2004 during his 18-year career. He appeared in 211 career games with the Coyotes, posting a record of 97-78-29 with a 2.39 GAA, a .919 SV% and 15 shutouts. He helped guide the team to the Stanley Cup playoffs during the 1999-00 and 2001-02 seasons and also represented the Coyotes in the 2001 and 2002 NHL All-Star Games. He is the franchise's career leader in GAA (2.39) and ranks second in SV% (.919), and third in games played (211), wins (97) and shutouts (15).

Gary Bettman Reduces Raffi Torres' Suspension To 21 Games

2012-07-03T03:17:00Z

Remember the circus that was the Raffi Torres suspension during the Phoenix Coyotes first-round series with the Chicago Blackhawks?

Torres' name was back in the news Monday as NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that he was reducing the suspension from 25 games to 21 games.

The Coyotes advanced to the Western Conference Finals, but were eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings. They played 13 games after the Torres suspension before being eliminated. With this new ruling, Torres will miss only eight regular season games next season instead of 12.

While I agree with the suspension being reduced—since the main reason for the length was to keep Torres out of the playoffs, even if the Coyotes went to a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Finals—many are outraged.

After the hit opinions varied. We were fresh off seeing Shea Weber smash Henrik Zetterberg's face into the glass and escape with no penalty, and the series between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia was more of a riot-on-ice than a playoff hockey. It was arguably the most violent stretch of hockey since the 2004-05 lockout.

Some were calling for a lifetime ban, while others were saying six to ten games. Then there were those fans who were petitioning for Torres to be burnt at the stake. When all was said and done, 25 games was the ruling and it seemed excessive; the exact reason Torres appealed the suspension.

There are guys like Torres in every sport. In the NBA it's Metta World Peace (formerly Ron Artest), while the NFL has players like Ndamukong Suh and James Harrison.

Torres has made a career off being a gritty player who rides the a very fine line. He is in no way a goon though. In every season that Torres has played more than 60 games, he has been a 25-40-point scorer.

Sometimes he does go over the line, but he has paid for it. Under the new ruling he will miss $170,731.68 in salary, but more importantly had to watch from the sideline as his team went through the playoffs. While it is easy for a fan to say, "Yeah, but he deserved it," this is much more of a punishment for a professional athlete than any dollar figure.

But why now, almost a month after the Stanley Cup Playoffs have ended, did Bettman change the suspension. Could it be because the league and the NHLPA are in the midst of hammering out a new collective bargaining agreement? Is Torres, for a second time, being used as a pawn?

The heavy-handed Torres' suspension as a message to the entire league to stop the violence in the playoffs.

Now the message may be to the NHLPA that appeals do in fact work.

Pierre LeBrun had an interesting perspective on his Cross Checks Blog on ESPN.com saying, "First, it throws a wrench into the well-oiled theory that the appeals process for supplemental discipline is thoroughly flawed because the NHL commissioner rules on them. How could he ever overrule his own discipline chief? It's extremely rare that it ever happens.

"This has been a long-standing complaint from the NHL Players' Association and is expected to be an important component of the CBA talks that have already begun. The union wants a more objective decision-maker at the top of the appeals process. Now Bettman can throw this at them. "

Torres will make his 2012-13 season debut Nov. 2 when the Coyotes take on the Ottawa Senators. Interestingly enough, this is three days after the Coyotes play the Blackhawks in Chicago.

The Hawks will have to wait until Feb. 9 for a date with Torres.

Poll

Should NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman have reduced Torres' suspension?

Yes

1 votes

No

1 votes

2 votes | Poll has closed

Remembering Ray Whitney's Time With The Phoenix Coyotes

2012-07-02T00:49:30Z

Ray Whitney's time with the Phoenix Coyotes was short, but the 5'10" winger made a big impression. Not only was he a regular on the stat sheet, totaling 134 points in two seasons with the Coyotes, but also in the hearts of the fans.

2012 was a big year for Whitney. At 40-years-old he nearly had the best year of his 20-year tenure in the league. He led the Coyotes in points, and tallied his 1000th career point in March. Only six active players are part of that club.

Whitney knew his worth heading into free agency, telling the Arizona Republic's Sarah McLellan, "Production-wise they always say the older you get, you're going to fall off. Eventually they're going to be right, but they haven't been. ... I've performed well enough the last five years to warrant a contract that's deserving of it."

Sunday marked the end of Whitney's time in Phoenix, as he signed a two-year, $9 million deal with the Dallas Stars.

Whitney won't have to wait long to make his return to the Jobing.com Arena ice. The Coyotes open the season against the Stars Oct.13.

Don't expect boos from the Coyotes faithful though.

Fans should understand that the elder statesman did not want to ride out the rest of his career in the chaos that is the Phoenix Coyotes organization. For the past three years it has been a tumultuous ride through ownership and relocation threats.

With things still relatively unsettled in the desert, Whitney decided to go with a change of scenery. It may not have been the entire reason for the move, but you have to imagine it was a factor.

One more interesting fact about the Wizard. Whitney has now played for five teams (Flordia, Columbus, Carolina, Phoenix and now Dallas) that did not exist at the time he was drafted in 1991.

Now I leave you with a clip from Fox Sports Arizona's "Snapshot", where Whitney talks with Todd Walsh about what came to be known as the "Where's Whitney" game.

FOX Sports Arizona's "Snapshot - Ray Whitney" (via foxsportsarizona)

NHL Free Agency 2012: Aucoin Signs With Columbus, Coyotes Ink David Moss

2012-07-01T22:30:27Z

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed Adrian Aucoin to a one-year, $2 million deal.

The Coyotes have now lost two players to free agency who have a combined age of 78 (Aucoin, 38, Whitney, 40).

The loss of Aucoin will not be felt as heavily as Whitney. The Coyotes are strong along the blue line and have a slew of young talent. Keith Yandle, Oliver Ekmann-Larsson, Michael Stone, Chris Summers, Maxim Goncharov, David Schlemko and David Rundblad are all under 25-years-old and currently on the Coyotes roster.

The team also traded for veteran defenseman Zbynek Michalek during the draft, who will most likely take over Aucoin's roll.

Aucoin spent the last three seasons in the desert, but felt it was time to move on. The Blue Jackets will be the seventh team he has played for in his career.

The Coyotes signed their first new free agent of 2012 as well. Former Calgary Flame David Moss signed on for two years with the 'Yotes Saturday.

Moss tallied two goals and seven assist in an injury shortened 2011-2012 campaign. During the 2010-2011 season however, the 6'4", 207-pound Moss netted 17 goals, including five power play goals, and 30 points in 58 games.

Moss will be a welcome addition to the roster at the right wing position, and can hopefully find a home on the Coyotes second or third line.

It is still too early to tell, but you have to imagine that the looming ownership situation is making it hard to lure free agents to Phoenix.

NHL Free Agency: Ray Whitney Signs With Dallas Stars

2012-07-01T20:52:39Z

The Phoenix Coyotes leading point getter from a year ago will not be returning to the team. Ray Whitney signed a two-year, $9 million deal with the Dallas Stars Saturday.

The 40-year-old Whitney had one of the best years of his career with the Coyotes last season. Whitney recorded 24 goals and 53 assist with the Coyotes during the 2011-2012 season. He also posted a plus-26 rating, the best of his career.

It won't take long for Whitney to make his return to the ice at Jobing.com Arena. The Coyotes open the season against the Stars on October 13.

Earlier in the week Whitney talked to Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic saying, "Production-wise they always say the older you get, you're going to fall off. Eventually they're going to be right, but they haven't been. ... I've performed well enough the last five years to warrant a contract that's deserving of it."

It's somewhat of a risk for the Stars to sign the winger who has been in the league longer than Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekmann-Larsson has been alive. Whitney has produced at least 50-points a season since '03, but eventually he will have to slow down. And soon.

The only players to be truly productive in their 40's in NHL history are Hall of Fame names like Mark Messier, Steve Yzerman, Gordie Howe and Jacques Plante.

The Coyotes would have loved to have Whitney back — and I am sure they made a solid offer — but this may be for the best. $9 million for an aging winger is something the Coyotes could simply not afford if they hope to resign Shane Doan, and bring in some quality free agents. The team has a core group of young talent and should look to build on that.

While Whitney has decided to take his talents to Dallas early in free agency, Doan announced that he will wait until July 9 to sign with a team.

Mark that date on your calenders Coyote fans.

Side note: Coyotes resigned Andy Miele to a one-year, two-way contract. The financial terms have not been disclosed. Miele played in seven games for the Coyotes in 2011-2012, but had a solid 54-point season playing with the Portland Pirates of the AHL.

NHL Free Agency 2012: Shane Doan To Test The Market

2012-06-29T15:00:21Z

Coyotes general manager Don Maloney has said that resigning captain Shane Doan is their number one priority this offseason, but now he will have some competition.

Maloney confirmed on the NHL Live radio program Tuesday that Doan will indeed test the free agent market starting Sunday.

According to a Yahoo.com report, Maloney said on the program, "We feel confident we can re-sign him. It's just a matter of getting a little more clarity, hopefully when Greg Jamison's group may be able to take over the team.

"Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it'll happen by July 1, so now you run the risk of going to July 1 and some of my good friends in the general managers seats saying 'Let me just see if I can make it more expensive for the Coyotes' or make a legitimate offer."

Doan was drafted 7th overall by the franchise in 1995, and has spent all of his 17 seasons in the league with the Coyotes. He was named Coyotes captain during the 2003-04 campaign, and has worn the C ever since.

When Doan was listed as an unrestricted free agent, not many people paid attention. It was unfathomable that the long time Coyote would end up on another roster. Now, that has all changed.

Make no mistake — even at 35 with waning production, Doan will be a coveted free agent that any team would be more than happy to have. Doan is fresh off winning the Mark Messier Leadership Award, and is the two-time captain of Team Canada at the World Championships. He is considered one of the NHL's best leaders.

	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
2011 - Shane Doan	22	28	50	-8	48

If Doan does indeed decide to leave where could he end up?

According to a CBS Sports article, Blackhawks' captain Jonathan Toews has been wining and dining Doan in an effort to get him to the Windy City,

You have to be certain he is not the only one.

A team with a history of signing aging superstars is the Detroit Red Wings. If Doan would be willing to take a minor pay cut, he would be a perfect fit the Wings. He would also the more talent around him than he has ever had in Phoenix.

Pittsburgh is also a good fit for Doan. The Pens will be in the running for big names like Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, but Doan would be a solid backup plan. His leadership would prove invaluable in a relatively young locker room, and could solidify their second line.

However, in all these situations Doan is not the man.

Shane Doan is the Coyotes, plain and simple. It would be a crippling blow to the franchise if he left town, and the last thing they need in wake of the ownership drama.

Being a lifer is something special. Sidney Crosby knows. Crosby just signed a 12-year deal so he could stay a Penguin for the rest of his career.

In the end, I believe Doan will stay in the desert. Even though Coyotes fans hate to see it, it's a smart move for him to test the market and see what he is worth. He has paid his dues, and deserves a handsome contract to close out his career.

The Coyotes had their best season in franchise history last year, and Doan could nearly smell the Stanley Cup. There's no way he leaves now.

Poll

Where will Shane Doan end up?

Phoenix

23 votes

Detroit

7 votes

Chicago

7 votes

Pittsburgh

3 votes

Other

21 votes

61 votes | Poll has closed