Report: Logan Cooley could be closer to signing Arizona Coyotes ELC

Per Craig Morgan, the Arizona Coyotes and Logan Cooley could potentially be closer to getting their top prospect signed to his entry-level contract.

There has been much talk over the future of Logan Cooley after he announced his intention to return to college instead of signing an entry-level deal with the Arizona Coyotes.

Cooley is by far the Coyotes’ top prospect and already he has shown that he is ready to take the next step and make the jump up to the NHL after a truly dominant year with the University of Minnesota.

Through 39 games in the NCAA, Cooley scored 22 goals and registered an astonishing 60 points as a freshman.

This was the second-highest points total of any player in the NCAA, sitting behind this year’s third-overall pick Adam Fantilli, who has signed his ELC with the Columbus Blue Jackets and will make his NHL debut this season.

Along with a stellar college year, which saw Cooley and Minnesota reach the college finals, ending up as runners-up, he also had a superb showing at the World Junior Championship.

Through seven games, Cooley had seven goals and seven assists, hitting the jackpot with 14 points and a bronze medal for Team USA.

Cooley has already demonstrated what he is capable of in college and at the junior international level, with the only logical progression being directly into the Coyotes’ NHL roster when he is ready to sign his rookie deal.

According to PHNX’s Craig Morgan, that could be sooner than previously expected as sources have told him that momentum is growing towards Cooley changing his mind and moving to the NHL after all.

With the Arizona Coyotes missing out on their preferred arena location, Cooley had commented that it was a factor in his decision not to jump up to the NHL after previously leaning towards doing so.

With the Coyotes making a concerted effort to improve on the ice this year, with some solid veteran signings along with the development of promising young players such as Matias Maccelli and Dylan Guenther, it seems that Cooley’s mind could have been changed with more optimism for the season ahead.