Both Ryan Dzingel and Zach Sanford are coming into Arizona Coyotes training camp with something to prove as they look to secure a roster spot.
The Arizona Coyotes opened training camp on Thursday for the players not currently in Australia.
Both veteran forwards, Ryan Dzingel and Zach Sanford were on the ice for the Coyotes as they look to secure a roster spot for the 2023-24 season.
The Coyotes signed Dzingel to a professional tryout last week. The 31-year-old actually played for Arizona during the 2021-22 campaign and is happy to be back home.
“It’s a great opportunity so we will see what I can do,” Dzingel said. “Nothing is promised so that's always nice, you gotta earn it yourself, but yeah it's nice to be back. I live 30 seconds away from the Ice Den so its worked out good.”
Dzingel has played a total of seven seasons in the NHL for the Ottawa Senators, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Coyotes and San Jose Sharks tallying 87 goals, 101 assists and 188 points in 404 games.
While there is some pressure on Dzingel to perform well through training camp, he has a clear mindset largely due to his new-born son which gives him a new found perspective as a father.
“Normally I put a lot of pressure on myself throughout the years,” Dzingel said. “As a dad and religious guy, I just try to not worry about too much. I think I have put a lot of pressure on myself and now I'm just gonna have fun, see what happens. It's nice to go home and be a dad, you have to worry about too much.”
Similar to Dzingel, Sanford is no stranger to a change of scenery. The 28-year-old has played six seasons in the NHL for the St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, Senators, Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators putting up a total of 49 goals, 49 assists and 98 points in 305 games.
Sanford signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Coyotes back in July. It was the high praise from players across the league that partly brought Sanford to the Valley.
“I know guys who have played out here and they love it,” Sanford said. “They love the guys and the staff. For me it's a good opportunity to come in and get back to playing some hockey and playing well and finding a good role for myself,”
Sanford’s road in the NHL has not particularly been easy but after a strong end to last season with the Predators, he hopes that can carry on through his time here in Arizona.
“I just want to play the best hockey I can and be the most effective I can,” Sanford said. “It's been a bumpy road the last couple of years and I think last year I kind of found myself on my feet again and hopefully I can carry that into this year.”