Insider claims young Utah star turned down massive $76.8 million contract

Justin Lynch

Insider claims young Utah star turned down massive $76.8 million contract image

NHL.com

In an ever evolving rising NHL salary cap era where massive big ticket contract extensions are becoming the norm, the numbers game is changing with these lucrative deals. 

The bar has been raised by players and their agents with respect to what the presumed contract value should be placed at as the marketplace entertains a shifting economical landscape.

There is no better example of this changing dynamic than a recent development that has transpired in Utah regarding contract talks with their prized young forward star Logan Cooley as the 21 year old enters this season as a 2026 RFA. 

What is the latest on Logan Cooley? 

Via insider Frank Seravalli, Logan Cooley has reportedly turned down an exponential contract raise of $9.6 million across 8 years. Cooley will instead enter this 25-26 season without a new deal as it appears likely his camp will revisit negotiations next offseason. 

The contract would have made Cooley $76.8 million richer. Clearly he and his agent believe Utah's forward of the future should be making north of $10 million per year. Cooley goes into this season with no shortage of motivation to cash in on what is expected to be quite an eventual payday for him. 

Logan Cooley is coming off a breakout year as he enters what will be his 3rd season in the league. In 75 games last year, Cooley amassed 25 goals and 40 assists for 65 points. Across his NHL stint thus far, Cooley has totaled 45 goals and 64 assists for 109 points in 157 games. 

Justin Lynch

Justin Lynch is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a recent graduate of John Carroll University, and hockey is his biggest passion. Justin covers the Blackhawks and the rest of the NHL for the Chicago Hockey Radio podcast.