The Arizona Coyotes finished last season with the worst record in the Western Conference, the second-worst record in the NHL, and their worst record since moving to Arizona prior to the 1996-97 season.

The Coyotes (24-50-8) couldn't score and were scored on too much, with a goal differential of minus-102. Not much went right for Arizona, which missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third straight season.

But plenty of moves were made this offseason to try to correct these issues.

Arizona signed experienced backup goalie Anders Lindback, gritty forwards Steve Downie and John Scott, and Antoine Vermette and Brad Richardson to hopefully alleviate some of the offensive woes.

Here are four other reasons for optimism in Arizona:

Since reaching the Western Conference Final in 2012, the Arizona Coyotes have not made the Stanley Cup Playoffs and bottomed out last season with the second-worst record in the NHL.

But general manager Don Maloney believes a return to better days is not far away.

Here are three questions that could bring them back sooner rather than later:

NHL.com continues its preview of the 2015-16 season, which will include in-depth looks at all 30 teams throughout August.

BUFFALO -- Things are about to change for the better for the Buffalo Sabres.

The past two seasons were the worst in Sabres history, so it'd be easy to say things can't get worse, but the arrival of the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, Boston University center Jack Eichel, has changed the attitude here.

Eichel's arrival, coupled with the eventual debut of forward Evander Kane, who didn't play for the Sabres after he was acquired in a trade from the Winnipeg Jets on Feb. 11 (shoulder surgery); center Ryan O'Reilly, acquired from the Colorado Avalanche on June 26; and coach Dan Bylsma, has the Buffalo fan base hopeful the organizational rebuild will bring results on the ice.

The Sabres will have a young and talented group of forwards to try to lift an offense that scored an NHL-low 158 goals last season. The addition of Eichel, Kane and O'Reilly to Tyler Ennis and Zemgus Girgensons gives Buffalo a youthful core. If Sam Reinhart, the No. 2 pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, makes the roster, it would make the Sabres that much younger and add another potential scorer.

BUFFALO -- It's only a matter of time before the Buffalo Sabres' top prospects make an impact in the NHL. That time may come this season.

The past two seasons were the worst in Sabres history. A byproduct has been the ability to stockpile young talent, including forward Zemgus Girgensons, who was voted to the NHL All-Star Game last season, and Rasmus Ristolainen, who became one of Buffalo's top four defensemen.

Three prospects might be in the opening night lineup Oct. 8 against the Ottawa Senators, and two others are set to play their first season of pro hockey coming out of the Ontario Hockey League.

Here is a look at the Sabres' top five prospects, according to NHL.com:

BUFFALO -- As the Buffalo Sabres head into the 2015-2016 season, there's a different feeling around the organization.

The past two seasons, the worst in Sabres history, marked an especially low point. But Buffalo selected Jack Eichel with the No. 2 pick at the 2015 NHL Draft and acquired center Ryan O'Reilly from the Colorado Avalanche and goalie Robin Lehner from the Ottawa Senators during the offseason.

The Sabres hope the days of rebuilding are over and they can focus of returning to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011.

"There's a lot of great players in this organization right now," Eichel said in early July. "I think that's why everyone in Buffalo is excited about the future of this team. [The Sabres have] a lot of good pieces, and I think now we all have to just put it together and start having success. I think that's what people want to see and that's what everyone wants. The organization has done a really good job of acquiring good players and developing young guys. It's a really bright future in this city."

Here are four reasons Sabres fans should be optimistic about this season:

BUFFALO -- The Buffalo Sabres are expecting a lot from their prospects, including No. 2 picks Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart, heading into this season.

But contributions from young veterans Robin Lehner and Evander Kane will have as much impact on their possible success.

Here are the three biggest questions facing the Sabres heading into the season:

NHL.com begins its preview of the 2015-16 season, which will include in-depth looks at all 30 teams throughout August.

EDMONTON -- The Edmonton Oilers haven't been among the top NHL teams in recent years, but they are one of the most fortunate.

In April, the Oilers won the NHL Draft Lottery for the fourth time in six years. The prize was Erie Otters center Connor McDavid, who is considered the best player to enter the League since Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby a decade ago.

McDavid fell into the Oilers' lap, and consequently expedited changes to the franchise, which has failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs the past nine seasons.

EDMONTON -- When the Edmonton Oilers ended another disappointing season in April, there was little reason for optimism heading toward the next one.

Despite three No. 1 draft picks in the lineup, the Oilers were unable to make headway in the standings and finished 13th in the Western Conference, six points ahead of the last-place Arizona Coyotes.

Edmonton missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the ninth consecutive season, fired coach Dallas Eakins less than a year and a half into a four-year contract, and seemed a long way from respectability.

Under general manager Craig MacTavish, the plan was to stay the course and hope the roster would come of age and lift the Oilers into contention. But the Oilers unexpectedly won the NHL Draft Lottery for the fourth time in six years, resulting in a major management shakeup.

"[The fans] should be excited; there has been a lot of great changes, and they've brought in a lot of great hockey minds," No. 1 pick Connor McDavid said in early July at development camp. "They made a couple of trades and signed a couple of free agents that are very good players. I think there are a lot of reasons to be excited about this franchise moving forward."

Here are four reasons the Oilers should be optimistic:

EDMONTON -- By winning the NHL Draft Lottery, the Edmonton Oilers were able to select the best prospect available, center Connor McDavid.

By virtue of previous first-round picks, the Oilers have other talented players in their system. The hope is, in the near future, those prospects provide a strong supporting cast for McDavid and the other No. 1 picks already on the NHL roster.

Here is a look at the Oilers' top five prospects, according to NHL.com:

EDMONTON -- With all the changes the Edmonton Oilers made this offseason, there is plenty of uncertainty going into this season.

Reaction to the management shakeup following Edmonton's NHL Draft Lottery win was positive. Many believe the Oilers are heading in the right direction, but to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2006, the Oilers need to make up a lot of ground in what is again expected to be a very tough Western Conference.

The Oilers are not the only improved team in the conference, and selecting Connor McDavid with the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft will not guarantee success.

Edmonton has proven that having No. 1 picks in the lineup does not automatically translate into victories. The Oilers believed they turned the corner in the past, only to find themselves back near the bottom of the NHL standings.

There are a number of factors that will determine the Oilers' fortunes. Here are the three biggest questions for Edmonton heading into the season: