Sarah McLellan

azcentral sports

After catching Rocky Mountain fever last season and losing 12 games while he attempted to restore his energy and strength, Coyotes captain Shane Doan could have given his body more downtime this offseason.

But he didn't.

Instead, the 37-year-old began his summer training even earlier than normal – starting in early May as opposed to the end of the month when he usually resumes workouts.

"I didn't like, obviously, the way last year went not making the playoffs," he said.

Rectifying that, it seems, is a top concern for Doan. When asked about his health, Doan answers with a simple, "Good," and a smile that closes the conversation. Of course, he hasn't forgotten about the way the bacterial disease sapped his stamina and left him fatigued.

In fact, improving his cardio has been an objective this summer and remains a priority as he skates at the Ice Den in Scottsdale with teammates before training camp opens in a week.

"I feel OK on the ice," Doan said. "Not great but OK. But the beginning of October, that's when you have to feel great and go from there. It's going to be big for me to go out and contribute, but I think we have some guys that will step up big time."

But how Doan feels will likely be an important factor in deciding how much of a threat the Coyotes offense will pose. Even though he's the oldest forward on the team -- and he turns 38 a day after the Coyotes' first game -- Doan still very much sets the tone for the offense.

At the time he fell ill last December, Doan led the team with 12 goals. He was still tied for the team lead when he came back. Upon his return, he added 11 more goals in the team's final 42 games, the second-most on the team in that span. Center Antoine Vermette had 12.

Add in the fact that the Coyotes offense has lost Radim Vrbata and Mike Ribeiro, and Doan's value is magnified.

Clearly, though, it'll take more than Doan to support the Coyotes.

"We need some young guys to step in and contribute," he said. "That all being said, we need some veteran guys to have years they're capable of having."

That's where the uncertainty kicks in.

No one can predict how center Sam Gagner will fit, whether prospect Max Domi is ready for the NHL and if Vermette can repeat as the team's leading goal scorer. It's just as unclear if Doan will be able to regain the form he showed last season when his production through the first 27 games ranked among the best in his career.

But what doesn't need to be questioned is Doan's work ethic. He's been trying to get back to the pre-sickness level of play for months now.

"I know I'm going to be as good as I can be," he said, "and I'm going to focus on that."