Why new deal for Mammoth’s Logan Cooley is a big one

The Utah Mammoth made news Wednesday, signing forward Logan Cooley to an eight-year extension that will pay him an annual average value (AAV) of $10 million through the 2033-34 season.

Cooley is in the midst of an eight-goal, 12-point campaign. He’s on pace for 90 points, which would smash his previous personal best of 65 set a year ago. Selected third overall in 2022, Cooley made his debut with the Arizona Coyotes in 2023-24, finishing with 20 goals and 44 points. He exploded for 65 points in his first year of Utah, where he established himself as one of the best young forwards in the league.

On Wednesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton discuss Cooley’s extension and why the young forward decided to sign long term with Utah.

Tyler Yaremchuk: What do you make of the Mammoth and Cooley agreeing to terms on a big ticket?

Carter Hutton: Oh it’s a big ticket, and forecasting deals, it’s a big number for a guy who has shown he can produce. It’s one of those deals where I just don’t think the price is going to get any cheaper, and it’s a good deal to get locked up. These guys who are young and skilled have the short window to get that extra year, and I think teams can use that for leverage right now. Instead of letting him grow and make more money, you can advertise that eighth year to lock him up.

With Cooley between Dylan Guenther and JJ Peterka, he is a superstar. They did a good job with using him in the NHL, he’s in a good spot now. This team has a lot of key guys locked up for the long term, and there’s a good mix of young talent and veterans, along with pieces that can get moved out.