Utah Mammoth Secures Logan Cooley with $80 Million Extension
The Utah Mammoth have made a significant move by signing center Logan Cooley to an eight-year contract extension worth $80 million. This deal secures one of the franchise’s standout young talents, ensuring his presence with the team for the long term.
Cooley, aged 21, currently leads the Mammoth with 8 goals and ranks second in points with 12 in just 11 games. His impressive performance has been a driving force behind the team’s success, placing them at the top of the Central Division with a record of 8-3-0. Notably, Cooley is on a four-game point streak, having netted six goals and contributed three assists. His recent scoring included a goal in the Mammoth’s 6-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, which ended the team’s seven-game winning streak.
In a remarkable achievement, Cooley became the first player in NHL history to score each of his first eight goals of the season in the first period. Reflecting on his decision to extend his contract, Cooley expressed enthusiasm about playing in Utah, stating, “Choosing to play with this group of teammates was the easiest part of this decision, and living in Utah has been amazing since day one.” He praised the support from the organization and the local fans, emphasizing the potential for success with the Mammoth.
The new extension will commence at the start of the 2026-27 season, when Cooley’s entry-level deal concludes. At that time, he would have been a restricted free agent, and his average annual value of $10 million will make him the highest-paid player on the Mammoth roster. Last season, he recorded 25 goals and 40 assists for the Utah Hockey Club, bringing his overall NHL totals to 53 goals and 68 assists across 168 games with both Utah and the Arizona Coyotes, the team that drafted him third overall in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Mammoth governor Ryan Smith praised Cooley, stating, “Logan is elite in every sense of the word. He’s one of the most exciting young players in the league, and the fact that he’s chosen to plant roots here in Utah says everything about what we’re building.” Smith highlighted Cooley’s commitment as a crucial step in developing a championship-caliber team.
This contract extension marks the second significant signing by general manager Bill Armstrong as he secures key players for the Mammoth’s young core. Earlier this season, forward Dylan Guenther, aged 22, signed an eight-year deal with an average annual value exceeding $7.1 million, extending his contract through the 2032-33 season. Additionally, forward JJ Peterka, aged 23, was signed through 2030 for $7.7 million AAV after being acquired from the Buffalo Sabres.
With these strategic moves, the Utah Mammoth are positioning themselves for a promising future, aiming to build a strong foundation around their young talent as they pursue success in the upcoming seasons.
