Following his two-year, one way contract signing with the Arizona Coyotes, Michael Carcone reflects on future in the Valley.
Arizona Coyotes left winger Michael Carcone is looking forward to continuing his career in the Valley.
The 27-year-old signed a two-year, one-way contract with the Coyotes on Wednesday. Carcone is relieved and excited to remain a member of the Coyotes organization.
“I've enjoyed my time since I've been here and I didn't really want to go anywhere else,” Carcone said. “Obviously I couldn't really say that before but now I can. So it's nice to have it kind of off my back and I can enjoy summer and get back to training.”
Carcone arrived in Arizona during the 2020-21 season when he was loaned by the Nashville Predators to the Coyotes AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners. Carcone played well during his first season in Tucson tallying 15 goals, 10 assists and 25 points in 35 games which led to the Coyotes giving him a two-year two-way contract that offseason.
Playing for the Roadrunners allowed for Carcone to grow as a player and helped him achieve his goal of reaching the NHL as he made his debut with the Coyotes during the 2021-22 season.
“I've always believed in my skills but maybe not necessarily making the NHL,” Carcone said. “I feel, Steve Potvin (Roadrunners coach) has been huge in giving me that belief of being able to make it and the rest of the coaching staff down there as well.
“Those guys were just 100% there for me. They believed in me and it was just me believing in myself and being able to get there and I think that once I did, I knew I belonged in the NHL and could play and I think things just really turned around.”
Over the past two years, Carcone has played a total of 30 games for the Coyotes where he produced six goals, three assists and nine points.
This past season, Carcone spent 65 games with the Roadrunners scoring 31 goals to go along with 54 assists and 85 points. Come next year, the left winger believes that he can contribute in a multitude of ways for the Coyotes roster and feels he is the perfect fit.
“I think right now with where the organization is at I feel like I can add that depth scoring on the team and that grit that they need,” Carcone said. “I just think I have an opportunity here to, maybe play on the powerplay a bit and just just kind of give that depth scoring, take the pressure off the big guys and I just think it's a good fit. I still have to earn it, I've only had a few games in the NHL, but I feel like I'm ready.”
Carcone hopes to carve out a permanent role for the Coyotes next season and is fully ready to embrace the changes that are set to take place for his career.
“My goals are obviously to be in the lineup full time and earn a spot,” Carcone said. “Nothing's guaranteed so I see myself being an effective 15-20 goal scorer in the NHL. It's going to be a process to get there and it's going to be steps. Everything's a little bit different. You're not riding a bus, you're on a plane and you're getting in later and you're going from city to city. So there's going to be quite a few changes, but I'm looking forward to it.”