Doan open to trade, but landing spot 'would have to be exactly perfect'

Never say never.

That appears to be Shane Doan's stance in advance of the NHL's upcoming trade deadline, and in response to a recent report from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman suggesting the longtime Arizona Coyotes captain would be open to being moved to a Stanley Cup contender.

Doan was made aware of the report and has validated it, but with major caveats.

"People have texted and talked to me about it," he told Tim Campbell of NHL.com. "I never said I wouldn't go anywhere. I've always wanted to stay here. If there was ever an opportunity, the Coyotes have always been incredible to me and respectful to me in every way.

"I'd talk about (possible trade) with my family and make a decision on that if it was to come up but it would have to be so perfect and so right that it's pretty hard for it to all line up perfectly. It would have to be exactly perfect and that just doesn't happen too often in our sport."

Doan, who recently turned 40 and who's on a one-year deal with the Coyotes, has a no-move clause built into his contract, meaning he'd have to approve any trade attempted by John Chayka, and a move likely wouldn't even be considered by the Coyotes without Doan's knowledge and permission.

For his part, Doan let it be known the report didn't originate from his side of things, even with the Coyotes languishing near the bottom of the standings.

"It wasn't me saying it," he said. "I've been frustrated with the year, with us not winning and stuff, that's always tough. I haven't said it to them, to management, or said anything to them, but I've also never said I wouldn't (agree to be traded)

"If it comes to that point, we'll sit down and talk about it. It's happened in the past, it's just that no one's ever heard about it. We've had the discussion and said yes or no and for the most part it's been no."

Doan added it's difficult to assess a clear-cut contender in the NHL this year, meaning there's no guarantee a trade would pay off with a championship.

The No. 7 pick at the 1995 NHL Draft when the team was known as the Winnipeg Jets, Doan has played his entire career with the organization, and he's the team's all-time leader games played, goals, assists, and total points.