On the Arizona Coyotes …
Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports: Shane Doan‘s agent, Terry Bross, thinks Doan wants to come back for his 22nd NHL season.
“He hasn’t made a final decision, but I think he’s leaning toward playing one more year; I think he’s going to play,” Bross said. “His body feels good, he loves the game and he loves the players.”
Doan is a UFA and would obviously need to work out a new deal with GM John Chayka. It’s unclear what type of role Doan would have with the Coyotes if he came back.
Chayka hopes to make a trade or two by the deal, with Predators winger Pontus Aberg as one potential trade target.
On the right side the Coyotes have, Anthony Duclair who is a RFA, Radim Vrbata is a UFA and Christian Fischer could earn a bigger role.
There was a report on Monday that Doan will make a final decision by next weeks draft, if not earlier.
On the New Jersey Devils …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman was on NHL Network on Tuesday and was talking about New Jersey, the draft and the need for a defenseman.
“The one thing I will think about New Jersey is they also are looking on their blueline. They really felt that a transitional defenseman – somebody who can get the puck up the ice – is something they need in their organization. Because New Jersey did not think it was going to have the top pick – they were a better team than that during the regular season – I think they really scouted a lot of D early on in the year and towards the midpoint of the year.
“So I do think it’s a possibility that if the defenseman they want they think will be available a bit lower down, I think New Jersey will consider the possibility of moving down and seeing what they can get for the No. 1 pick if anybody wants one of those two centers.”
Friedman said he thinks they are looking at D – Miro Heiskanen and Cale Makar – and if offered something good and only drop down a little bit, they may consider it.