Doan: 'Not a big market for a 40-year-old 4th liner who only wants to go to a contender'

Shane Doan had been opposed to a trade as his career has started to wind down, remaining adamant that he wanted to finish with the Arizona Coyotes, the only NHL team he's ever known.

This season, the Coyotes captain hedged on that pledge a bit, saying he would be open to a trade if it was to a Stanley Cup-contending team.

No deal materialized at the NHL's trade deadline Wednesday, keeping the league's longest-tenured captain in the desert.

''Not a big market for a 40-year-old fourth liner who only wants to go to a contender,'' Doan said with a laugh from Buffalo, where the Coyotes play Thursday.

Doan has been with the Coyotes since the franchise was in Winnipeg in 1995, following the team to the desert the next season. He has played 21 seasons with the Coyotes and become one of the iconic figures in Phoenix sports history.

Doan had a strong 2015-16 season, scoring 28 goals with 19 assists, but those totals have dropped a bit this season. The center enters Thursday's game against the Sabres with five goals and 15 assists in 62 games with the rebuilding Coyotes.

Doan has a no-movement clause in his contract and said he was willing to waive it for the first time this season if the right team called.

No calls came, leaving Doan in Arizona for at least the rest of the season.

''It's one of those things that as a player you're excited about the opportunity to spend your whole career with one organization,'' Doan said. ''At the same time, one way or the other there's definitely an element of relief. It's over and then you get to not have to think about it again.''

The Coyotes made one significant move before the deadline, sending center Martin Hanzal and forward Ryan White to the Minnesota Wild for three draft picks and minor leaguer Grayson Downing.