Thats what Shane Doan's agent, Terry Bross, told the Arizona Republic on Friday.
Bross has been saying it ad nauseum: Shane Doan prefers to stay with the Phoenix Coyotes. He loves Arizona. His family loves Arizona. Doan is woven into the very fabric that makes up the Phoenix Coyotes. He's that embedded in the community and in his own organization.
"He's such a loyal guy," Bross said. "He views the team like it's his own franchise, from the equipment manager to the trainer to the people taking tickets".
Phoenix fans are still reeling from the loss of their former NBA MVP, Steve Nash, to the evil LA Lakers franchise earlier this week.
Now, it appears that the fans will get stiffed for the second time in a week. Doan's days in the desert likely are done.
Comes news today that a dozen or so suitors are lined up in anticipation of Doan's departure from the desert. Among them are the LA Kings, Montreal Canadiens, where Doan's cousin Carey Price, tends the bars. Other teams also said to be in the hunt are NY Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Buffalo Sabres, and San Jose Sharks, and Detroit Red Wings.
According the the Arizona Republic:
Monday is the day Glendale, Arizona said signatures are due for a petition to make potential owner Greg Jamison's lease agreement a referendum on the November ballot. However, organizers now say they have until July 16 to submit the signatures.
Further clouding resolution is a sales-tax initiative petition recently presented to the city to make it a referendum on the November ballot. The fear is if the tax hike doesn't go through, the city might not be able to finance the Jamison deal.
Doan is a 35 year old UFA who is looking to sign a multi-year deal. Be it in Arizona or elsewhere. At some point, someone is going to have to blink first in this complicated game of "chicken".
Doan's agent says that he has taken the high road with the many would-be suitors.
"I've told them, if you want to wait for Shane, understand you may be waiting in vain," Bross said. "Shane would wait until the cows come home.
"Unfortunately with these things, there is a business aspect to all of this and, at some point, Shane is going to have to fish or cut bait."
How'd you like a human cannon ball like Doan patrolling the rink in Buffalo?
Ott, Scott and Doan would pin the needle on truculence and physicalit.,
There's no doubt in my mind that a player of Doan's league-wide respected stature would infuse an immediate sense of urgency and leadership into the Buffalo room. In recent months, the Sabres have had to subtract players from their beloved "core" in Gaustad and Roy, because those players could not provide the leadership elements that Shane Doan brings to the rink every day. No slight on Goose and Roy, or Vanek, Stafford, or Pominville for that matter. Those players and their individual bodies of work and in-room leadership do not scream "get on my back, I'm carrying this team to the playoffs". Robyn Regehr and Ryan Miller possess the same type of "it" factors that Doan does. Thats why I feel that it is imperative for Darcy Regier, Ted Black and Terry Pegula to stalk Doan's agent for the next how many hours it takes in order to convince Doan that Hockey Heaven is the destination where he will finally realize his dream of hoisting the Stanley Cup.
The Sabres will open developmental camp a 10am Monday morning. This time around, First Niagara Center will host all of the festivities. This will mark the first time the ice will be installed during the summer and the development camp will be held at the home of the Sabres.
There will be an on-ice session each day open to the public Monday through Wednesday from 10:00 am -12:30 p.m. The week will culminate in a Blue and Gold scrimmage game on Thursday, July 12 at 6 p.m. Tickets for the scrimmage will be $10 for general admission seating.
I'm psyched for this camp as I anticipate seeing some serious offensive skill on display with the likes of Luke Adam, Joel Armia, Dan Catenacci, Marcus Foligno, Zemgus Girgensons, Mikhail Grigorenko, Cody Hodgson, Justin Kea, Kevin Sundher, Corey Tropp, and Phil Varone on display.
On D, Brayden McNabb, Mark Pysyk, Jerome Gauthier Leduc, Jake McCabe, and Matt MacKenzie will be ready to rattle bodies off of walls.
I'm really excited to be able to get another birds eye view of the monster-sized new goalies, Connor Knapp (6'5 220), Nathan Lieuwen (6'5 195), and Linus Ulmark (6'3 200).
*****
Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News reports that Lindy Ruff is ready to swing for the fences:
The Bisons have just announced one final addition to Monday night's Celebrity Home Run Derby at Coca-Cola Field and it's a big one: Sabres coach Lindy Ruff will be in the batter's box taking his hacks.
Ruff will join Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta in the field. It will also include Bills Hall of Famers Jim Kelly and Joe DeLamielleure, Bills running back Fred Jackson, Bills CEO Russ Brandon, former Bills GM Bill Polian and two Western New York natives: New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and Hollywood writer Nick Bakay.
Join the Discussion:
»