GLENDALE – The Coyotes on Wednesday added forward Mark Arcobello to the mix by claiming him off the waiver wire.

Arcobello

Arcobello, 26, has 92 games on his NHL resume. He’s played 50 games this season for three teams - Edmonton, Nashville and Pittsburgh.

"I’m definitely excited to get another opportunity," said Arcobello, who has notched 12 goals and 21 assists in his NHL career. "It’s been a crazy year for me and I’ve been moving around quite a bit. I’m glad I’m getting another crack to prove myself."

Per Elias Sports Bureau, Arcobello will be just the third player in NHL history to skate for four different teams in a single season.

Arcobello will join the Coyotes for practice on Thursday. Other than forward Sam Gagner, whom he played with in Edmonton, Arcobello will need to introduce himself to his new teammates.

"Mark Arcobello is a quick, skilled player who will give us more depth at the center position," General Manager Don Maloney said. "With center Marty Hanzal’s extended injury, Mark is a welcomed addition to our Club."

Mark Arcobello.

Hanzal is on the injured reserve list because of an upper-body injury. He has not played since Jan. 29. Center Joe Vitale also is nursing an upper-body injury and is on the injured reserve list, too.

Arcobello, who will wear sweater No. 36, is eager to switch back to center after playing wing for Nashville and Pittsburgh. It’s the position he enjoys playing most.

"I’m really comfortable playing center," Arcobello said. "In a nutshell, I try to be a responsible two-way player that can chip in offensively at times."

Before turning pro in 2010-11, Arcobello played four seasons at Yale University. He graduated with a degree in political science. Yale won the national championship in 2012-13.

"I loved being at Yale," Arcobello said. "It was a great time for me and it was fun to help turn that program around."



Arcobello played 192 games for the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League. He is that franchise's all-time leader in points (161), goals (60) and assists (101).

Photo by Dave Vest.

• The Coyotes are 3-2-1 in February and have allowed less than two goals per game in those six games.

"If you watch us now, I’m really excited where we’re at," Maloney told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, the team’s flagship radio station. "We’ve returned to our identity."

• Goalie Mike Smith has returned to form recently. That, too, pleases Maloney.

"We’re married to Mike. We know what he can do," Maloney said. "Physically, he’s our best athlete. He’s big. He’s mobile. When Mike is on a high he’s as good as anybody in the League."

• With the NHL trade deadline coming on March 2, Maloney said fans can expect the team to be active.

"We are looking to bring in some younger assets to continue to build the base of this franchise up," Maloney said. "Once we get our base in place, then we’ll be in position to hopefully challenge for a Stanley Cup."

He added: "We’ve got some exciting young players coming. I look at this as probably the most optimistic I’ve ever been here. …We have to be patient enough to let this grow."