Shane Doan could end up spending his entire NHL career with one organization, as the veteran free agent has reportedly inked a new four-year deal to remain with Phoenix.
Doan has agreed to a four-year, $21.2 million pact with the Coyotes, according to John Gambadoro of Sports 620 KTAR in Phoenix.
TSN's Darren Dreger reports that the deal includes a $2 million bonus, which will be deferred until the contract expires — with $1 million due in 2016-17 and $1 million in 2017-18.
Doan, who turns 36 in October, has always expressed a desire to remain in Phoenix, but questions about the franchise's future led to speculation that he may opt to sign elsewhere this offseason. Apparently his bond with the franchise was too strong to break, though.
"I'm extremely excited about remaining a Coyote," Doan said in a statement on the team's website. "I was drafted by this organization and it means a great deal to me to be able to play with the same franchise my entire career. I'm very excited about our team, our coaching staff and our management and am confident about our future in Arizona. I chose to stay with the Coyotes because I am committed to winning here, not anywhere else and I love living and playing in the Valley. This is my home and this is my team."
Now, of course, it becomes a matter of when Doan will take the ice for the first time under his new deal. It appears the NHL is headed for a lockout, which will delay the Coyotes' quest to make another deep playoff run this season.
Doan, who has been the Coyotes' captain since the 2003-04 season, has been with the organization since 1995, when Phoenix — which was still the Winnipeg Jets for Doan's rookie campaign — selected him with the seventh overall pick.
The talented forward has racked up 318-470-788 totals in 1,198 career games, including 22-28-50 totals during the 2011-12 regular season before leading the Coyotes to the Western Conference Final.
Doan was even listed as one of the 10 best captains in NHL history in a recent NHL.com article.
