News broke on Thursday that the Toronto Maple Leafs will soon add the veteran savvy of Arizona Coyotes legend Shane Doan to their front office.
Doan will depart an Arizona team, where he has served as chief hockey development offer since 2021 and played from 1997 until 2017. He holds franchise records for games played (1,540), points (972), and goals (402).
The longtime ‘Yotes captain served as an executive during a transitional period for the team. While the Coyotes’ future in Arizona remains very much up in the air, young players Clayton Keller, Matias Maccelli and J.J. Moser have given the club plenty of reasons to be hopeful on the ice. Doan’s son Josh, a 2021 second-round pick, could join that group shortly.
Doan, who gained experience as an executive with Canada during their successful World Championship bid, replaces fellow NHL legend Jason Spezza as assistant GM.
Spezza walked out on Toronto in the wake of the team’s sudden dismissal of Kyle Dubas, who joined the Pittsburgh Penguins as president of hockey operations on June 1.
Brad Treliving, who left the Calgary Flames after his contract at the end of the season, was quickly named Dubas’ replacement in Toronto. Before he served as Flames GM, Treliving was the Coyotes assistant GM for most of Doan’s playing career.
The power forward’s lengthy previous association with Treliving no doubt impacted his decision to, at last, leave an Arizona franchise he has served for a quarter century.
Treliving and Doan will have their work cut out for them this offseason, with stars Auston Matthews and William Nylander in line for extensions after a feeble second-round exit at the hands of the Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers.
The duo must decide whether the “Core Four” can ever drive a Cup contender or if it is time to begin anew in Toronto.
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