Winning is fun, and the Utah Mammoth have won three straight games. A professional athlete, winning is better when you are contributing to the winning. In the case of Logan Cooley, he has had a slow start to the season with just 2 goals and 1 assist. One of those goals was deflected off his back from a Nick Schmaltz shot.
After just 6 games, panic is the last thing on Cooley's mind, but it is hard to ignore outside distractions that could be the cause of his start. I cannot begin to know the pressures of a professional athlete, but Cooley has had some unnecessary distractions leading up to this season.
Contract
It has been well documented that Logan Cooley's entry contract expires after this season, making the 21-year-old a restricted free agent. Being a restricted free agent and not an unrestricted free agent, Cooley is the property of Utah and can only negotiate exclusively with Utah. Another team can sign Cooley to an offer sheet, which Utah would have to accept and receive significant draft compensation, but that is not the preferred path for Bill Armstrong.
Currently, the Pittsburgh native is making just $950,000 despite being one of the top point producers on the team last season. Because of that, it is expected that Cooley will receive a significant raise.
Before the start of the regular season, NHL Insider Frank Seravelli is reporting that Cooley turned down an 8-year deal worth almost $77 million. This sent shockwaves across the NHL world, so you can only imagine how Cooley felt as he prepared to begin a crucial season for Utah and his own career.
Last season was a career year for the young center as he registered 25 goals, 40 assists for 65 points, all career highs.
Entering this season, Cooley also has a new linemate in JJ Peterka, acquired from Buffalo over the summer in a blockbuster move. Although Peterka is extremely talented, the chemistry between the two players will take time to develop. This is a huge factor in any slow start for Cooley as well, but the contract situation seems to be looming.