ARIZONA COYOTES

Shane Doan offers up a new lockout proposal

Nov 30, 2012, 1:03 AM | Updated: 5:49 am

Coyotes captain Shane Doan understands that desperate times often call for desperate measures.

A 17-year NHL veteran, Doan has already suffered through one lockout back in 2004-2005, and knows the league’s latest work stoppage is headed for a similar fate.

Speaking candidly with Todd Walsh of Fox Sports Arizona this week at the Ice Den in Scottsdale, the face of the Coyotes franchise suggested that if mediation doesn’t clear matters up between the owners and NHL Players Association, it might be time to turn to a different party: the general managers.

“On the players side, having the vast majority of players involved helps everyone understand what’s going on,” Doan told Walsh. “I think it could help to have guys that the players admire on the management side.”

As Doan pointed out in the interview, several current general managers have playing experience in the league, including Ken Holland, Dean Lombardi, Paul Holmgren and Mike Gillis.

“These are guys that understand the game and understand nuances of the CBA [collective bargaining agreement] and how it works and how it affects the game,” said Doan. “And, I think that it’s important to listen to them.

“These are the guys that live it every day. Their job is to live inside the system. They’re the guys that have to make the tough decisions and deal with it. I think they’d have the best understanding of the system.”

That outlet might be necessary sooner rather than later for the league’s players. Thursday, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly issued a statement saying that despite two days of mediation between owners and representatives of the NHLPA, the two sides are still far apart on a new CBA deal.

The NHL lockout has now reached Day 76.

Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes right wing Clayton Keller...

Associated Press

Clayton Keller becomes 2nd Coyotes player with 400 points in win over Devils

Karel Vejmelka stopped 37 shots and the Arizona Coyotes beat the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

2 days ago

Arizona Coyotes center Logan Cooley, right, is greeted by defenseman Travis Dermott (33) after scor...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes beat struggling Detroit Red Wings again

Logan Cooley had a short-handed goal in the first period, Michael Carcone broke a tie in the second and the Coyotes beat the Red Wings 4-1.

4 days ago

Arizona Coyotes CEO and president Xavier Gutierrez...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes cleared to bid on north Phoenix land for new arena

The Arizona Coyotes have the green light to bid on a tract of land in north Phoenix in their yearslong bid to build a new arena.

4 days ago

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Josh Brown, left, and Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi (23) compete for...

Associated Press

Penalty kill falters again, Coyotes lose to the Minnesota Wild

Nick Bjugstad had another goal against his hometown team but the Coyotes penalty kill couldn't contain the Minnesota Wild in a road loss.

6 days ago

Arizona Coyotes right wing Clayton Keller...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ Clayton Keller scores twice in loss to Blackhawks, Colin Blackwell delivers hat trick

Colin Blackwell got his first hat trick and Connor Bedard had two goals, leading the Blackhawks to a victory over the Coyotes.

8 days ago

Dylan Guenther #11 of the Arizona Coyotes warms up before the NHL game against the Boston Bruins at...

David Veenstra

Arizona Coyotes’ Dylan Guenther has water turned off after he doesn’t pay utility bill

Arizona Coyotes' Dylan Guenther and teammate Jack McBain had their water turned off this week after they did not pay their utility bill.

9 days ago

Shane Doan offers up a new lockout proposal