The Vancouver Canucks just finished their development camp and plucked their first free agent from the lot. According to my sources, the Canucks have signed Michael Carcone, formerly of the Drummondville Voltigeurs to an entry-level contract for three seasons.
Based on Carcone’s age, 20-years-old, the Canucks are only able to sign him to a three-year pact. The QMJHL centre set career highs this season with the Voltigeurs, contributing 89 points in 66 games. During his week with the Canucks in development camp, Carcone contributed one goal in Thursday’s scrimmage for Team White.
Carcone is a player who has some skill, skates well and plays a gritty game for his size — his size being the big holdup. Measuring in at 5’10”, he is already on the small side, and elite prospects have him listed as 161 lbs (which is likely incorrect) — so that’s likely why Carcone is still an undrafted prospect looking to make a name for himself.
When viewed through the lens of the Prospect Graduation Probabilities System (or pGPS for short), the historical precedent for players with Carcone’s size, stature and age indicates he has a near 16% chance of developing into a full-time NHL player. Members of Carcone’s cohort produced at a near-half point per game pace in the NHL, which is an encouraging omen.
Though 20-year-old’s generally carry a probabilistic disadvantage relative to their younger peers, the net-zero assets spent on acquiring them (through free agency, at least) make them well worth the effort. I would expect that the plan for Carcone is to play with the Utica Comets, most likely in a bottom-six role.
