Shane Doan Sets Deadline for Phoenix Coyotes, Will Meet with Montreal Canadiens

According to the Phoenix Business Journal, Shane Doan has given potential Coyotes owner Greg Jamison until Friday to make progress on his attempt to purchase the team. Otherwise, the veteran forward could be leaving the only NHL team he’s ever known.

Doan pushed back a previous "deadline" after a petition to put the city of Glendale’s lease agreement with Jamison to a public vote was rejected. However, there has been no news regarding the sale of the team since.

Unfortunately for Coyotes fans, this deadline could be the real deal. Doan began officially meeting with teams last week for the first time since becoming a free agent on July 1.

Doan has already met with the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers and, according to a report by TVA Sports, he is expected to pay the Montreal Canadiens a visit.

The Rangers recently acquired Rick Nash in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets, which likely put an end to their bid for Doan. The Philadelphia Flyers, on the other hand, missed out on Shea Weber after the Nashville Predators matched their offer sheet. The Flyers currently have just over $7.8 million in cap space, while the Habs have just over $6.3 million available to spend.

A total of 16 teams have shown interest in Doan and six have offered him a contract. Those teams include the Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins.

It’s clear that Doan wants to continue his career with the Phoenix Coyotes, but if he cannot be assured that the team will be in Arizona long-term, he could sign elsewhere. That decision could come as soon as this weekend.