The Utah Mammoth and rising star Logan Cooley are heading into this season with a question mark hovering above. Cooley is in the final year of his entry-level deal. As such, he’ll be an RFA next summer and in need of a new contract.
However, it seems that neither Cooley nor the Mammoth is in any rush. According to the Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, contract extension talks are on the “back burner.”
Pagnotta wrote the following on September 25:
“According to a league source, Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong and Cooley’s camp spoke a few times over the summer, but actual contract negotiations are being placed on the back burner to allow the 21-year-old to focus on the season.”
In a way, it’s encouraging to see the two sides speaking. But in another, it’s a bit tense considering that Cooley has become a key member of the club. His 25-goal campaign last season was a breakout of sorts. He gained a stronghold on a top-six spot and will continue to hopefully make headway this season.
Pagnotta added that there’s a chance the two sides could hammer out a deal mid-season. But it shouldn’t be surprising if no news emerges in the near future.
Mammoth could use McTavish contract as comparable for Cooley
The Anaheim Ducks signed Mason McTavish to a six-year, $42 million contract on Saturday. The deal could serve the Mammoth as a comparable for Cooley. If Cooley can get off to a strong start this season, there may be little reason to argue against giving him a similar deal as McTavish.
Signing Cooley for about six to seven years gives the Mammoth the security it needs moving forward. Daily Faceoff projects Cooley as the Mammoth’s top-line center. So, getting Cooley at $7 million AAV for the next six or seven seasons could turn into a bargain, considering the going rate for some of the league’s top forwards.
Of course, there’s a chance that a strong start by Cooley pushes the price tag up. If the contract talks head into the summer, a fantastic season by Cooley could end up pushing the price tag even further.
Ultimately, both Cooley’s camp and the Mammoth will be taking a chance on one another. One side will be betting on his ability to have another great season. The other will bet that their top-line center is the real deal.
For the team’s sake, fans hope both sides are right on.