SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 14: Logan Cooley #92 of the Utah Hockey Club looks on during the first period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on March 14, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – January 31, 2025, marked a significant day for the National Hockey League and its players as a $25M salary cap increase was announced over the next three seasons. Reaching a grand total of $113.5M in 2027-28, the NHL continues to thrive as they’ve obtained new media rights deals, better advertisement partnerships and other sources of income to fund the increase.
A great place to be in from a league standpoint.
But what does it mean for upcoming contracts extensions for skaters like Logan Cooley?
Well, it’s complicated.
As the NHL salary cap continues to increase over the next three seasons by more than 28 percent, player values and contracts will inevitably rise as well.
With more money to go around and a higher cap floor, it only makes sense that players will demand higher salaries.
But with such a significant increase over the next few years and the league continuing to become more popular, are eight-year extensions a safe bet or could rising stars like Logan Cooley be shorting themselves by committing to a franchise for nearly a decade?
According to sources, there’s some concern amongst the agency world about long terms deals standing the test of time.
So, what does that mean for Cooley?
From his point of view, a seven or eight-year contract could mean he’s missing out on more money as he enters his prime since it wouldn’t expire until he’s 29 or 30-years-old.
Whereas a five-year deal could appear to be a lot friendlier as Cooley would likely be stepping into his prime at the age of 27 with an opportunity to cash in even more.
An understandable desire, but Cooley and his party might be overlooking the bigger picture if that’s the route they decide to go.
For starters, what’s better to a professional athlete than guaranteed money on a longer term?
A lot can happen in eight years, and while there is certainly an argument to be made in favor of a shorter term as a player bets on himself to qualify for a raise sooner, guaranteed money is guaranteed money.
Who’s to say he’ll be worth noticeably more at the end of a five-year deal?
What if he didn’t quite pan out the way he expected or was injured for a considerable amount of time?
A five-year contract wouldn’t be as forgiving as an eight-year deal.
Additionally, Cooley has a massive amount of opportunity ahead of him in Utah.
As arguably the most talented young player on the roster, the sky’s the limit for No. 92.
He could become the face of the franchise amongst highly talented teammates like JJ Peterka, Dylan Guenther, Dmitri Simashev, Daniil But and Utah’s deep pool of prospects who all share a similar timeline as Cooley.
Why not commit to a rapidly growing organization with incredible ownership, brand new state of the art facilities and a front office that believes in you to help lead the charge towards a championship window?
The money will come.
But few organizations are as prepared for the future as Utah and Cooley could be at the forefront of it all in Salt Lake City.
“He’s an important part & piece of our future…Certainly one we think is a future star of this league,” Chris Armstrong explained during Utah’s development camp.
“We want him to be a star for the Utah Mammoth.”
Overall, there’s no reason to worry that Cooley is going anywhere anytime soon.
A deal will get done.
Doesn’t matter if it’s a shorter than preferred extension, bridge-deal, or matching a possible offer sheet.
Utah will not let Cooley go anywhere.
However, both Cooley’s party and Utah for that matter need to be reasonable to get something done long-term.
This is uncharted territory and there’s more to consider than usual.
According to sources close to the situation, both sides are cautiously optimistic about getting something done without any reason to rush negotiations as Cooley’s extension wouldn’t kick in until next summer.
That means they have plenty of time to figure things out and keep Cooley where he wants to be.
“For sure. I love it here. This is the most fun I’ve had playing hockey. I love living here,” Cooley told KSL Sports during the inaugural season.
“This is the most comfortable I’ve felt playing hockey. It’s a special feeling putting that Utah jersey on & going out there.”
Logan Cooley on if he wants to be in Utah long-term:
“For sure. I love it here. This is the most fun I’ve had playing hockey. I love living here.”
“This is the most comfortable I’ve felt playing hockey. It’s a special feeling putting that Utah jersey on & going out there.” pic.twitter.com/h4IGSPF7V9
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 13, 2025
All things considered, Cooley will remain a Mammoth, but there will need to be reasonable understanding from his party to figure things out that is beneficial for both sides.
