21 seasons later, Shane Doan has to find a new franchise.
The Arizona Coyotes announced Monday they won't offer Doan a new contract this offseason, as the 40-year-old is slated for unrestricted free agency.
Doan, drafted by (the original) Winnipeg Jets seventh overall in 1995, is the organization's all-time leader in games played (1,540), goals (402), assists (570), and points (972), while captaining the club since the start of the 2003-04 season.
While Doan's final chapter in the desert may seem to have come to an abrupt end, his agent has already announced his client doesn't plan on retiring and will test free agency for a chance at the Stanley Cup.
However, coming off a meager six-goal output in 2016-17, Doan's list of suitors might be limited, especially if he's looking to join a contender.
Still, with possibly just one more kick at the can and fueled by the motivation to actually qualify for the postseason (sorry, Coyotes), this situation might bring the best out of a player who's cracked the 20-goal plateau 13 times.
Below are three franchises with whom Doan just might be a fit.
Edmonton Oilers
Doan has employed a brash style of play his entire career, and Edmonton general manager Peter Chiarelli hasn't shied away from surrounding the core of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl - who will all but certainly carry the Oilers to the playoffs if healthy - with physical players.
Doan fits the mold of the Oilers' roster and is also an Alberta native, factors which could potentially see him lower his price tag if it means joining a club with championship aspirations.
Calgary Flames
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Calgary already nabbed former Coyotes goalie Mike Smith, what's the harm in a little reunion?
While the Flames' Cup chances might not be that of their provincial adversaries, Calgary can compete in the Pacific Division as long as Smith is indeed the solution to its problems in goal.
There are a few holes on the wing for the Flames, and mixing in Doan could further solidify an already ultra-deep forward corps.
Anaheim Ducks
Yet another team in the Pacific could perhaps benefit from Doan's availability.
Anaheim, a perennial threat in the Western Conference, will likely look at retaining UFA Patrick Eaves, but his breakout 32-goal campaign could inflate his asking price.
Doan's career shooting percentage (10.2%) is slightly below Eaves' (11.3%), but while one is coming off career-low numbers and one career highs, the two players can be expected to put up similar numbers as each other in 2017-18.
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