GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Coyotes, like every other NHL team, went into the 2015-16 season filled with optimism.Realistically, they -- and nearly everyone else -- knew it would be a rebuilding year, even after the team got off to a fast start.The Coyotes again have that optimistic slant heading into this season. This time, with a core of talented young players and some veteran additions, they expect to live up to it.Just walking in the rink, you feel it, Coyotes goalie Mike Smith said. You feel a different vibe. You feel like this team can do some damage.Arizonas talented core remains intact, headlined by All-Star defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, with forwards Max Domi, Anthony Duclair and Tobias Rieder. Captain Shane Doan returns for his 21st season and goalie Mike Smith is back after being sidelined with an abdominal injury most of last season.The Coyotes also were active during the offseason under first-year general manager John Chayka, adding defensemen Alex Goligoski, Anthony DeAngelo and Luke Schenn, along with forwards Jamie McGinn, Radim Vrbata and Ryan White.Whether the group can end a four-year playoff-less run remains to be seen, but theres no reason to think the Coyotes wont improve upon their 35-win 2015-16 season.Youve got to be careful with optimism because theres 29 other teams that have a lot of optimism, too, but I think ours is genuine, Chayka said. I told the guys the other day were not looking to be a mediocre team. Were trying to be the best and we certainly feel we have the skilled players to get there, but its going to take some time to get there.A few more things to look for from the Arizona Coyotes in the 2016-17 season:DOMI AND DUCLAIR: Arizonas two young forwards burst upon the scene last season, giving the franchise the jolt of youth and speed it had been missing. Domi, son of former NHL tough guy Tie, was second on the Coyotes with 52 points and had 18 goals. Duclair, who arrived in a trade with the New York Rangers prior to last season, added 20 goals and 24 assists. Both players are 21 and work well together, so theres no reason to think they wont get better after that dynamic first season together.DOANER RETURNS: Doan took part of the summer to decide whether to return for another season in the desert. It didnt seem like much of a decision after the season he had in 2015-16. Coming off a couple of disappointing, injury-plagued seasons, Arizonas captain was at the top of his game a year ago. Doan seemed to be rejuvenated by the influx of young players on Arizonas roster, leading the Coyotes with 28 goals while chipping in 19 assists. Doan turns 40 next week, but he still has game and is one of top captains in the NHL.SMITHS RETURN: Smith was the key to Arizonas run to the 2012 Western Conference finals, often stealing games for the Coyotes with his stellar play. The past few seasons have been filled with injuries and inconsistency. Smith was limited to 34 games in 2012-13 due to injury and played 32 last season due to abdominal surgery. If he can stay healthy and play well, the Coyotes could make a strong playoff push.OEL RISES: Ekman-Larsson was considered one of the NHLs top up-and-coming defensemen his first few years in the league and has lived up to that hype the past few. The 25-year-old from Sweden has been an All-Star each of the past four seasons and last year led the Coyotes with 55 points, including 21 goals. If the Coyotes make the playoffs, expect him to be a strong contender for the Norris Trophy.IN THE SYSTEM: Chayka, who took over after Don Maloney was fired after last season, has been praised for building up Arizonas minor league system, turning it into one of the best in the NHL. The Coyotes are loaded with top prospects, including centers Dylan Strome, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 draft, and Christian Dvorak, who had 121 points for London of the OHL last season. The talent pool is deep in Arizona, setting up the Coyotes to be good for a while once they turn the corner. Black Kanken Backpack Sale . -- Matt Ryan needed one of the best games of his career to lead the Falcons and their depleted offence out of their three-game losing streak last week. Kanken Classic Backpack Cheap . The head of USA Boxing came out swinging Tuesday with an open letter to Tyson -- a former Olympic hopeful himself -- that accuses the former heavyweight champion of trying to poach fighters who might be candidates for the U. http://www.kankenbackpackuk.com/kanken-backpack-classic-uk.html . The phone hearing is scheduled for 4:30pm et/1:30pm pt. Winchester, who was not penalized for the hit, appeared to make contact with Kellys head early in the first period of Thursdays game in Boston. Cheap Kanken Backpack Uk . -- There were so many positives from the Orlando Magics first victory of the season that it was hard for coach Jacque Vaughn to stop praising his players. Kanken Backpack Yellow Cheap . -- Jimmie Johnson held off a teammate, passed a pair of Hall of Famers, and dominated once more at Dover. SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A man charged with hitting Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson in the face with a coconut cream pie plans to plead not guilty.Defense attorney Claire White tells The Sacramento Bee that 32-year-old Sean Thompson will contest a felony charge of assaulting a public official and a misdemeanor charge of battery on school property.He did not enter a plea at his arraignment Tuesday on charges of pushing the pie in Johhnsons face last week.ddddddddddddJohnson then punched Thompson, who says he received nine stitches and a black eye.White previously told The Bee that Thompson planned to sue the mayor, who says he was defending himself. She now says a lawsuit is being considered, but it isnt being filed immediately. ' ' '