Shane Doan: Are Pittsburgh Penguins Close to Locking Up All-Star Winger?
By Matt Shetler
The top two prizes left as far as wingers on the open market are Alexander Semin and Shane Doan.
Yesterday I took a look at Semin after a report from Russia indicated that the 28-year-old is close to signing a one-year deal with the pens, something that I haven’t been able to confirm anywhere else.
Today it looks like the Pens could be close on locking up Doan, as TIOPS’ William DePaoli reports the Pens are showing “strong interest” in.
DePaoli writes that the Pens are one of two desired Eastern Conference locations to go along with a handful of Western Conference teams.
Pens head coach Dan Bylsma has been in on the recruitment of Doan and talks between Doan’s camp and the Penguins will keep going for the next 48-72 hours.
Doan’s agent Terry Bross told Inside Pittsburgh Sports that “The Penguins have interest and the interest is mutual.”
In addition, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Shelly Anderson reports that a source has confirmed that an Eastern Conference team has offered Doan a four-year, $30 million deal. At the moment though there’s no word if it is the Penguins or not.
“@Gambo620: NHL source confirmed an Eastern Conf team offered Doan 4-year deal worth over 30 mill” no indication whether it's #Penguins
— Shelly Anderson (@_ShellyAnderson) July 13, 2012
Doan is coming off of a 22-goal and 50-point season and has 11 20-plus goal seasons in his last 12, but at 35-years old Doan could be a risk. After recording 78 and 73 points in the 2008 and 2009 seasons, Doan has followed that with 55, 60 and 50-point campaigns.
However playing with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin could be a cure for that, naturally a luxury he didn’t have in Phoenix.
If the Pens sign Doan, he will fit in nicely alongside either superstar and accomplish general manager Ray Shero’s goal of landing a top six forward this offseason.