Shane Doan Continues To Lead the Way for the Phoenix Coyotes

Ever since Keith Tkachuk and Jeremy Roenick left the Phoenix, Shane Doan has been the heart and soul for the Coyotes. He has led or been near the top in every offensive category for Phoenix in the past eight seasons.

Shane Doan took over as the Coyotes captain from Teppo Numminen back in the 2003-04 season and since then has been considered one of the best captains in the league. Doan has captained Team Canada twice at the World Championship, winning gold in 2007.

Never has Doan's leadership skills been needed then now, with a such young Phoenix Coyotes team. The Coyotes added veteran players like Adrian Aucoin and Vernon Fiddler this past offseason to help Doan with the leadership aspect of the team.

During the 2008 NHL Entry Draft the Coyotes acquired Olli Jokinen from the Florida Panthers. Jokinen was supposed to help take off the pressure of Doan being the one counted on to produce offense. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out and Jokinen was traded to Calgary at the 2009 trade deadline.

This past offseason the Coyotes did not add any big name players to the team, but still added a few players who can contribute decent offensively. Robert Lang and Radim Vrbata were brought in to put pucks in the net and so far they have.

Even with the new players, Shane Doan continues to lead the Coyotes in most offensive categories this season. Although he is leading the team, everyone in the lineup seems to be producing when called upon.

With the Coyotes young players learning and improving each day, maybe in a few years Doan will no longer have to play such a big role for the Coyotes like he currently is. If the Coyotes want any shot of the playoffs this season, though, Doan will have to continue to play a very significant and huge role with the Coyotes.