Sarah McLellan

azcentral sports

Talks on a new contract for Coyotes captain Shane Doan continue with the two sides working toward a one-year deal.

“We discussed both ideas,” General Manager John Chayka said. “At this point, I think on both sides it makes sense to keep it one year for a player of Shane’s age. It’s the best approach for him and his family and for us as an organization.”

Doan is wrapping up a four-year, $21.2 million contract after leading the Coyotes in goals last season with 28, which tied the third-highest output of his career and doubled his production from 2014-15.

RELATED: Doan decides he still wants to play

The 39-year-old will turn 40 on Oct. 10.

“We’re hopeful that we can get something done here at some point,” Chayka said. “It’s one of those things you can’t rush it. You go through it, and you make sure that you get it right for both parties.”

One more pick

The Coyotes received a compensatory second-round pick for this year’s draft after choosing not to sign prospect center Conner Bleackley, who was acquired from the Avalanche in the Mikkel Boedker trade, by the June 1 deadline.

“Conner had a great Memorial Cup and did some really good things,” Chayka said. “But we had an option to make, and we took the second-round pick.”

Bleackley had 13 goals and 46 points in an injury-shortened season with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League. He returned for the Memorial Cup where he had two assists in four games.

Arizona now holds eight draft picks and, after adding this pick at No. 53, it holds four in the first two rounds.

MORE: Download our Coyotes XTRA app iOS | Android

Draft prep

More than 80 prospects interviewed with the Coyotes at the NHL scouting combine, which concluded last Saturday with fitness testing.

“You want to eliminate as many flaws as you can,” Chayka said. “It’s all about kind of managing the risk of the player, and character problems or character issues are certainly one type of risk. Maybe in later rounds you have more of an appetite for it but certainly high up in the draft, you’re looking to add players you feel can really add to your leadership group in the long run and your best players have to be your best people.”

The Coyotes included sports psychologist Matt Brown in their interviews, an addition that Chayka believes has paid off.

“We’re just trying to get to know a kid and allow the kid to kind of let his guard down and just be him, which is what we want,” Chayka explained. “So Matt’s got a good way about himself, just allowing us to find out more about the player and the person and see if they’re a good fit for the Arizona Coyotes."

MORE: Coyotes to take new approach at NHL combine

World Cup additions

Winger Tobias Rieder (Team Europe) and defenseman Zbynek Michalek (Czech Republic) will join Coyotes teammates Martin Hanzal (Czech Republic) and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Sweden) at the World Cup of Hockey.

“They’re well-deserving, and certainly it’s an excellent experience,” Chayka said. “It’s important for us for those guys to go out and get those types of experiences and bring them back to our group.”

Scottsdale native Auston Matthews, the presumptive No. 1 pick for the draft later this month, was also added to Team North America when rosters were finalized May 27, but winger Max Domi was left off the 23-and-under squad.

“It’s tough for those managers to pick those teams. There’s no right or wrong answer,” Chayka said. “I think obviously being in Arizona and seeing what type of player and the fact that Max has proven to be a winner every step of the way … it’s disappointing. But at the same time from a selfish standpoint, Max comes and gets a full training camp.”

Domi recently added to his medal collection, winning gold with Canada at the IIHF World Championship, and although he played a limited role – he skated in only 2:59 of the final – he enjoyed his time in Russia.

“It’s tough when you don’t play,” said Domi, who scored once in 10 games. “But obviously winning makes that a lot easier, and the experience I got I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Working alongside Corey Perry, Brad Marchand and Matt Duchene, Domi made sure to watch their habits and soak up as much insight as possible.

“It’s not hard to sit there and watch when you get to watch some of the guys that were on my team,” he said.

Defenseman Connor Murphy didn’t exit the tournament with a medal, but he still had an impressive performance. Murphy tallied three goals and two assists in 10 games.

“It was fun to see him score and be out there as much as he was and representing his country,” Domi said. “I think he was also an assistant captain, so he’s obviously a leader. We all know that. To do that on that stage was pretty impressive.”

RELATED: Coyotes players join World Cup of Hockey rosters

On the mend

Defenseman Michael Stone continues to progress after having surgery to repair the ACL and MCL in his left knee in April.

Stone is able to walk without a brace and although he’s doing therapy, he doesn’t have a timeline of when he’ll get back on the ice.

“The fact that I feel the way I feel right now,” he said, “I think is a good sign.”

RELATED: You can name the Coyotes' AHL affiliate

Ice chips

Assistant coach Newell Brown signed a contract extension May 26. Brown, who oversees the power play, completed his third season with the team.

“He’s one of those elite, top guys that we think brings a lot of integrity and brings a lot of specialization to what we’re trying to do,” Chayka said.

The Coyotes also promoted Steve Sullivan, who served as development coach since 2014, to director of player development. Sullivan will continue to oversee the organization’s amateur players in addition to working with its American Hockey League affiliate.

“I’ll spend more time, a lot more time, in Tucson and the American League helping players and helping the coaching staff and making sure that our vision and our goal of developing our players and getting them ready for the NHL continues,” Sullivan said.

*The search for an assistant general manager is ongoing.

“We’re hopeful that we can continue to progress toward something,” Chayka said. “But there’s no real timeline, no real rush.”

*Arizona will unveil the new name and logo for its AHL affiliate June 18 at 12:30 p.m. at Tucson Convention Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Reach McLellan at sarah.mclellan@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.