UPDATE (1:55 PM PST): Doan has signed a 4 year $21.2 million deal with the Coyotes.

I like Kukla's headline better, but I'll behave on the chance Mr. Doan is suddenly a member of the Vancouver Canucks by happy hour today.

Here's John Gambadoro of Sports 620 KTAR Phoenix:

It is down two - Phoenix and Vancouver. Coyotes Captain Shane Doan will sign a contract deciding where he will play by 5 pm NY time Friday

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo620) September 14, 2012

To play catch-up: Doan has a deal in place with the Coyotes already but it is pending a lease agreement between the team and Glendale. As with most things Phoenix, the possibility of an positive outcome always involves the phrase "the answer could come as soon as today" which, if true, would mean Doan stays put. However Gambadoro suggests Glendale may be looking to change the terms at the last minute which - coupled with the CBA expiration - may push Mr. Doan into Vancouver's lovingly open arms. Vancouver is the only team left after Doan presumably nixed offers on the table from Philadelphia, the NY Rangers, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Los Angeles and San Jose.

So here we are. By 2:00 PM PST at the latest we'll know if Doan's heart is truly set on finishing out his career with the only franchise he's ever known no matter the tenuous ownership situation or if Mike Gillis' patient shopping for a top six forward has finally paid off.

If nothing else, it'll serve as a decent short-term distraction before lockout Saturday.