Once an AHL grinder, Michael Carcone is one of the biggest surprises for the Arizona Coyotes

Displays around Mullett Arena prominently advertised the much-heralded matchup between rookies Connor Bedard and Logan Cooley when the Chicago Blackhawks came to Tempe on Oct. 30. 

But it was Michael Carcone who had the biggest game of his career when he scored his first career NHL hat trick. The confusion from those in attendance showed up when many hung onto their hats, but it turned out to not be a fluke from a former grinder in the American Hockey League 

In fact, Carcone has thrived in his expanded role and has quietly become one of the biggest producers on the Coyotes offense this season with a team-leading 12 goals.  

The Coyotes have mounted an impressive five-game win streak over Cup-winning teams and can credit Carcone’s four-game goal streak for energizing the offense. Over the last five games, Carcone and his linemates Alex Kerfoot and Jason Zucker have been clicking with 17 points, including five goals from Carcone. 

“I have to give it to my linemates. Any one of us can be scoring goals or doing the little things and get on the board,” Carcone said. “Zucks and Kerf are guys that have been around for a while now and they do the little things and definitely make it easier. I just got to get open and put my stick on the ice.” 

Given that this isn’t Carcone’s first go with the Coyotes, the 27-year-old understands the difficulties of making it to the NHL and staying there.  

Carcone, who went undrafted, has logged 398 games in the AHL with four different organizations and has been traded three times. Since he joined the Coyotes organization on July 29, 2021, Carcone has been placed on waivers twice and sent up seven times, including three emergency loans.  

“It’s stressful just because you don’t know what’s going to happen next,” Carcone said. “I think something I focus on is controlling the controllables and focusing on what you can control and that’s it. You don’t know what’s going to happen and obviously, having a strong mindset helps.” 

Part of what he could control came with the Tucson Roadrunners, where he broke out and led the entire league with 85 points (31 goals and 54 assists) in 65 games.  

“I never had a statistical year like that. I had some good leadership and some friends on that team that helped me in Adam Cracknell and Steven Kampfer,” Carcone said. “Those guys were awesome and supported me through it. That definitely helps and talking to guys and talking to your coaching staff and leaning on them to try and take some of that weight off your shoulders and get back to reality because sometimes it goes up and down. I was very fortunate to have the year that I did.”  

The Coyotes hoped that his success in Tucson would translate into the next level, but instead he played sparingly with two goals and one assist in nine games.  

Home ice?Report: Coyotes closer to getting land in Phoenix for new arena

With unrestricted free agency looming over him, had a chance to represent Canada in the World Championship and play under Coyotes head coach André Tourigny. That summer exposed him to not only winning at a high level with a gold medal, but to what Tourigny wanted from him. 

Not too long after, Carcone signed a two-year, one-way contract with the Coyotes, meaning he would be paid the same regardless of which league he played in. Tourigny had previously said that Carcone has revamped his game to the level he needed to be at in the past. 

"If you want to be a good NHL player, you need to do it every night and I'm not meaning scoring every night. I mean doing every detail and being in your position and play with structure every night," Tourigny said. "That was the knock on Carcs in the past. He has the talent, but can he do it every night? He knows that and that's why he's an everyday NHLer now."  

Dermott’s whirlwind trip to practice 

Defenseman Travis Dermott hasn’t played since Nov. 7 after suffering an upper-body injury, but has been practicing with the team. It’s still unclear when Dermott will return to the lineup, but he rushed over to Wednesday’s practice and missed the team’s meetings following the birth of his second child. 

“His wife had a baby this morning and he was at the practice so that shows how serious he is, so good for him,” Tourigny said. 

As far as other defensemen go, Sean Durzi is day-to-day with a lower-body injury suffered in Monday's game. He is doubtful to return for Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers and defenseman Patrik Koch has been called up.