Potential Jets homecoming in the works for Doan Talks with club’s 1995 draft first-rounder could signal hockey operations move By: Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe Posted: 5:09 PM CDT Monday, Jun. 1, 2026

The Winnipeg Jets are not waiting until July 1 to pursue a prized free agent they believe can help their hockey club.

Talks are underway with Shane Doan, the former player turned NHL executive, about a potential management role with the organization, the Free Press has confirmed.

The 49-year-old Albertan was in town last week meeting with co-owner and chairman Mark Chipman, among others. He also toured the team’s facilities as he weighs his next move.

While nothing is official — sources stressed discussions remain in the exploratory stage — the mutual interest suggests the Jets may be willing to expand their reach and add resources to their hockey operations department following a disappointing season in which they finished 27th overall in the standings.

That would be a bold move for Winnipeg, which has maintained one of the NHL’s smallest and most stable front offices since relocating from Atlanta in 2011.

General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and his two assistants — Larry Simmons and Craig Heisinger — have held their positions throughout all 15 seasons. It’s a similar story on the player-development side, where Jimmy Roy and Mike Keane have long overseen that area.

That’s a rarity compared to other NHL organizations, both in terms of the loyalty and small size of the overall operation.

Doan could bring both a fresh perspective and an impressive résumé.

He spent the past three seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a special advisor to general manager Brad Treliving, who was fired and replaced by John Chayka last month. That led to a mutual parting of ways, as Doan’s contract was set to expire.

The Vancouver Canucks were granted permission to speak with Doan about a position in the hockey operations department in late April, where Ryan Johnson was ultimately chosen as GM and the Sedin twins, Daniel and Henrik, were named co-presidents.

Doan needs little introduction to experienced hockey fans in this market. He made his NHL debut at the old Winnipeg Arena in October 1995, just months after being selected seventh overall by the original Jets. He appeared in 74 games during his rookie season before the franchise relocated to Phoenix.

Doan went on to play 1,466 more NHL games over the next two decades, all with the Coyotes franchise. The long-time captain retired in 2017, and his No. 19 was immediately raised to the rafters later that year. He returned to the organization in 2021 as chief hockey development officer, a role he held for two seasons before joining Toronto.

He’s also well-connected on an international stage, winning five medals as a player (two gold, three silver) at the World Championships along with being a member of Canada’s 2006 Winter Olympic team that finished seventh.

Doan was the GM for the 2022 Canadian Olympic, World Championships and Spengler Cup teams, while also serving as assistant GM for the 2019 Spengler Cup, and 2021 and 2023 World Championships squads.

His son, Josh was drafted 37th overall by the Coyotes in 2021, made his NHL debut two years later and then — much like his father — watched the franchise relocate following his rookie season. He spent the inaugural campaign in Utah before being traded to Buffalo last summer, recording a career-high 52 points in 82 games with the Sabres this season.

Doan also has a minority ownership stake in his former junior team, the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League.

The Jets declined to comment at this point, and an effort to reach Doan for comment was unsuccessful.

“Falling short of the playoffs is difficult to accept – for our players, our employees, our organization and for you, our fans.”

Chipman recently reached out to Jets season ticket-holders with a year-end message saying the recent campaign “did not meet the expectations we set for ourselves, nor those that you rightfully hold for our team.”

“After winning more regular season games than any other team over the past three seasons, including a Presidents’ Trophy just last year, we believed we would continue to build and compete at the highest level. Falling short of the playoffs is difficult to accept — for our players, our employees, our organization and for you, our fans.”

Chipman noted that “improvement is required — and that work is already underway.”

“Our hockey operations team has already begun the process of resetting and preparing for next season,” he wrote.

“I could not ask for a more invested and caring group of professionals. Their commitment to thoughtful roster construction, player development and long-term planning remains steadfast. We are confident in the foundation that is in place and in the decisions that will be made to move our team forward.”

There’s been no action — so far — to back up those words, but the NHL off-season hasn’t officially started with the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights set to battle for the Stanley Cup in a best-of-seven series starting Tuesday night.

However, business should soon start picking up. The Jets are slated to make the eighth-overall selection during the first round of the NHL draft on June 26, with plenty of debate already swirling about whether they’ll add a top young prospect or perhaps move the pick for more immediate help to an aging core in “win now” mode.

NHL free agency begins a few days later on Canada Day. The Jets have plenty of holes to fill either through signings or trades, with a second-line centre and scoring winger being at the top of the list.

Winnipeg is also awaiting a final decision from Jonathan Toews about whether he might return for one more season. Sources say the expectation is he’s leaning towards retirement.

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