Flyers Rumors: Philadelphia Must Add Gritty Shane Doan

The Philadelphia Flyers have made runs at the biggest available names this offseason, but they appear to be out of the running for any marquee additions.

According to Sam Carchidi of philly.com, the Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren is happy with the team he has now.

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“I really like our team,” Holmgren said, “and I’m hesitant to look at anything where I’ve got to give up something (important) to get something back.  We have a lot of good young players that have tremendous potential.  Quite frankly, I’m happy with our team right now.  That doesn’t mean we won’t look and see what happens.”

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Instead, Carchidi suggests another option in a later report on philly.com.

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Oh, the Flyers still might add a veteran piece or two. Sources say they are enamored with Phoenix winger Shane Doan, who would be a perfect fit for the orange and black. But Doan, a free agent, figures to remain with the Coyotes if they remain in Phoenix.

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Doan, to put it bluntly, would be a perfect fit in Philadelphia. Like Carchidi states, he's probably returning to Phoenix, but the Flyers should pursue his services with full expectations anyway.

The Coyote captain would immediately replace Jaromir Jagr's veteran presence in the offensive zone. He's a quality two-way player, and his physicality would mesh well with the Flyers' checking mentality.

He's scored 318 career goals and dished out 470 career assists. Last year (his 16th NHL season) he scored 22 goals and notched 28 assists. He may have lost a step, but last year's numbers are on point with his average career production.

Doan would be a welcome addition to a young Flyer team. They need smart players who still maintain their trademark toughness.

The Flyers could have mortgaged some of their young talent to pick up Rick Nash or Bobby Ryan this offseason, but, as Holmgren told Carchidi, that isn't likely to happen.

Doan is an affordable player who brings premium quality to his team. The Flyers would benefit from his experience, grit and determination on both ends of the ice.

Players like him could put Philadelphia over the hump, while still allowing them to build for the future.

It's going to take a lot to pry him from the Coyotes' clutches, but the Flyers should stay hot on his trail.