Report: Doan Looking for Big Money

Globe and Mail reporter David Shoalts is reporting that Coyotes captain Shane Doan is seeking a four year, $30 million...if he decides to leave Phoenix. This shouldn't be too surprising considering that it was reported on July 14th that Doan had been offered the same deal from an east coast team. What is surprising is that Shoalts' source goes on to say that he's sure a team will “cough up a four-year deal in the $7 million range”.
What does this mean for the Canucks?

It means that the Vancouver Canucks won't be hard pressed to land a player like Shane Doan, at least not at the current asking price. However, it should be noted to anyone who still has a raging "Doaner" that this report is simply out to give teams a feel for what they can expect Doan to ask for per year. I can't imagine the Canucks, or really many teams willing to give a player who turns 36 at the start of the season a contract that will take him to the age of 40.

Stay Calm, Doaners in tact

Keep those Doaners in tact, fella's. This is just posturing. Doan and his agent have to know that a player turning 36 isn't going to get a team to commit to four years. If he retires one year into his new contract then whoever signs him is on the hook for the cap hit for the duration. That is not something Mike Gillis or the Canucks want hanging over there heads. Especially since long time Canuck and fan favorite Sami Salo left via free agency when he wasn't able to secure more than one year with the team.
Two Years and Durability

The safest bet for Doan would have to be a two year deal. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize he won't be playing all four years, so why not settle in the middle? The dollar figure is what it is, if he wants $7.5 million per season then someone is going to give it to him. If he wants to win, then he might be inclined to take a little less to play with a winning team. What should also be taken into account though is Shane Doan's health. He has played his career relatively injury free. When you look at his games played and see that he's only missed a handful of games in a decade, that can sort of calm the fears of him retiring one year into a new contract.
Moving Forward

If Vancouver has their hear set on Doan and are eager to acquire him, then they'll have to do so in a way that doesn't upset the teams self imposed cap. Doan at two years is a safe bet, probably around $6 million per season, $100,000 off from the Sedin's and $1,000,000 more than Ryan Kesler. Everyone knows what you see is what you get with Doan, though his numbers have slowly been dropping he still has other intangibles a team looking to get to the Finals again is looking for.

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