We’re just one day away from the start of the regular season, and it’s time for some more NHL rumours. We’ve already seen some massive deals get signed before the start of the season. The biggest undoubtedly being Connor McDavid, who agreed to a contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers. Teams are focused on finalizing these deals to guarantee they have players committed for the future.
One team that is trying to do business is the Utah Mammoth. This edition of NHL rumours looks at a rising star who will be a restricted free agent at the end of the 2025-2026 season.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Utah Mammoth Centre Rejected Latest Contract Offer
Rumour: We take a look at the latest regarding the Mammoth and a potential Logan Cooley contract. Cooley will be an RFA if he doesn’t re-sign with Utah before July 1, 2026.
Analysis: The Mammoth have been trying to extend the 21-year-old forward for some time now, but haven’t made much progress. Cooley is a big part of Utah’s present and future, so locking him up is a top priority for them.
Frank Seravalli first reported that Cooley’s camp turned down an offer to sign with Utah on an eight-year deal. The extension would’ve been worth $77 million, with a $9.6 million AAV. Utah wanted to get a deal done before the season begins, but that looks unlikely.
Sources: @utahmammoth made a push to get rising star Logan Cooley extended before start of the season, but his camp turned down an 8-year deal worth nearly $77 million (8 years x $9.6 million).
More info on Frankly Hockey at 12 noon ET on @victoryplustv.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 6, 2025
This upcoming season is the final year of Cooley’s three-year, entry-level contract. He signed it in July 2023, a year after being selected third overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft by the Arizona Coyotes. The reported offer from Utah would’ve made Cooley the highest-paid player on the Mammoth, surpassing Mikhail Sergachev.
Recent deals around the league may be the reason why Cooley rejected Utah’s latest offer. New Jersey Devils blueliner Luke Hughes and Anaheim Ducks defenceman Jackson LaCombe each agreed to $9 million per-year extensions with their respective clubs. Seeing defencemen get that number may have changed the situation for Cooley, which could explain why it was turned down.
Not only that, the salary cap is starting to quickly rise, which directly affects how much players will get paid. We recently saw that with Minnesota Wild star winger Kirill Kaprizov, who signed an eight-year, $17 million AAV extension. The deal is the largest contract in NHL history.
Cooley had a career-year in just his second NHL season, scoring 25 goals and 40 assists for 65 points in 75 games.
What’s Next for Utah
Every player has the right to try and earn as much as possible. That could be the case for Cooley, or perhaps he is betting on himself to have an even better season. Exceeding last year’s season would likely earn him a higher pay day. For now, Utah just needs to focus on signing Cooley before July 1, ensuring another team can’t poach him away through an offer sheet.
Cooley is a very important player for the Mammoth and will be key in the team’s hopes to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Main Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
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