Prospect Info: 2022 Draft: 3OA - Logan Cooley, C

[Jakey53]

Wright was convinced he was a top 3 pick. Cooley wanted to go to us. Thats what their body language told me as I rewatched the draft and the espn inside the draft show

Wright thought he was the number 1, and he could very easily prove all the teams that did not pick him wrong.

 

[Jakey53]

The part where he goes, "Arizona, I'm happy" and gets a big smile and sits up says otherwise. I think he wanted to go 1, but didn't want to go 2. Why I have no idea, but he didn't seem thrilled going into the NJ pick, and looked relieved when they didn't select him. I doubt we were his first choice, but I'd be surprised based on his reaction that we would be a spot he wouldn't care for.

These kids work their whole life to get drafted into the NHL. They don't care where they go. Sure it's bragging rights to go first, but that is behind them now.

Agreed. I think Wright seemed genuinely happy at the thought of coming here. I imagine it had crossed his mind with all the chatter of Montreal passing on him and he probably felt he had a good meeting with Arizona. I imagine in that moment with the pressure of being first having passed, he probably relaxed just a little and thought Arizona might just be a better place for him. I agree that he never thought he would get passed on by us and it was probably the lowest moment in his life. Worse that it happens in front of a millions staring right at him. He does seem like a kid that is still maturing . Like everyone told him to be a champion you have to be a Michael Jordan level a hole so that's the type of persona he is trying to project, but it isn't actually him. But instead he is just a young kid still trying to get comfortable in his own skin.

Cooley was great to watch. Feel like he has been imagining himself as a Coyote for months now and has been internally hyped to be here even though he knew he shouldn't be that set on one team. He was definitely nervous with Wright dropping. I'm excited that he is so excited to be here.

Agree with RT that Slafkovsky is a gem. The rare combination of quiet confidence with the authentic empathy that makes everyone like you.

Good post. Hope the best for all these kids.

 

[The Feckless Puck]

Wright thought he was the number 1, and he could very easily prove all the teams that did not pick him wrong.

Maybe not being picked #1 will be the catalyst for him to overcome whatever it was that made the top drafters pass him up. I hope so. I hope he has a nice long career, as I do most of the players drafted.

But I have no FOMO. The draft process creates this artificial bubble of narrative and prognostication that rarely ends up playing out according to the dreams of fans who project their fantasies on these kids. Once it's over, it's back to reality and the grind. I'm glad we are the ones who have the opportunity to see if Cooley can be an NHLer.

 

[Schemp]

I find Cooley to be very likable. Wright on the otherhand, seems to be a bit overconfident which has a perception of arrogance. Wright is more NHL ready right now, but going forward, it's about who is better in the long run for the franchise and it may have come down to who you rather hang out with, on the ice and on a road trip with (with everything else being pretty much equal).

 

[Arizonatah Coyetis]

I'm confused by Wright's personality. One second he looks like a humble kid and the next I'm thinking he looks arrogant too. I can't even say why. Something just has my 'spidey senses tingling' with him. Weird.

 

[rt]

I'm confused by Wright's personality. One second he looks like a humble kid and the next I'm thinking he looks arrogant too. I can't even say why. Something just has my 'spidey senses tingling' with him. Weird.

I think the wildly contradictory reports on just about every aspect of his game causes subconscious mistrust. Seems like nothing is true and you can’t get a handle on who he really is. Maybe enough to get spidey senses tingling. Even though it’s got nothing to do with him. All media.

 

[Bonsai Tree]

They’re still kids under the bright lights. Give Wright some time.

 

[PainForShane]

I'm confused by Wright's personality. One second he looks like a humble kid and the next I'm thinking he looks arrogant too. I can't even say why. Something just has my 'spidey senses tingling' with him. Weird.

Yeah Wright's behavior is really inconsistent. One example (there are many) is when he looks gutted to be passed over a few times -- but when he talks to the team / press about playing for Seattle he's like, "this worked out perfectly, couldn't be happier" which... I mean it obviously is not true. Sure you have to say good things about your new team but you can do it more authentically, for example something like, "yeah it would've been nice to go first overall and it doesn't feel great to fall so far, but Ron Francis is a hall of famer and I'm excited to be playing in Seattle, seems like a great opportunity to really build something there with guys like Matty Beniers." Just something that a normal person would say or feel in that situation.

Wright just seems off. Doesn't mean he won't be amazing (lots of high achievers have weird personalities), either way hope he has a great career just not against us in the playoffs.

On the other hand Cooley's so excited to be part of the Yotes that all he can do is keep repeating, "Let's go" for the next 10 or 15 minutes when he meets everybody. He just seems a lot more real, really glad we were able to draft him

 

[Jagged Ice]

but when he talks to the team / press about playing for Seattle he's like, "this worked out perfectly, couldn't be happier" which... I mean it obviously is not true. Sure you have to say good things about your new team but you can do it more authentically, for example

 

[The Feckless Puck]

Yeah Wright's behavior is really inconsistent. One example (there are many) is when he looks gutted to be passed over a few times -- but when he talks to the team / press about playing for Seattle he's like, "this worked out perfectly, couldn't be happier" which... I mean it obviously is not true. Sure you have to say good things about your new team but you can do it more authentically, for example something like, "yeah it would've been nice to go first overall and it doesn't feel great to fall so far, but Ron Francis is a hall of famer and I'm excited to be playing in Seattle, seems like a great opportunity to really build something there with guys like Matty Beniers." Just something that a normal person would say or feel in that situation.

Wright just seems off. Doesn't mean he won't be amazing (lots of high achievers have weird personalities), either way hope he has a great career just not against us in the playoffs.

On the other hand Cooley's so excited to be part of the Yotes that all he can do is keep repeating, "Let's go" for the next 10 or 15 minutes when he meets everybody. He just seems a lot more real, really glad we were able to draft him

I think it's hard sometimes to remember that these are kids, 17- and 18-year-old teenagers. I know a lot of people expect them to be way more mature than the typical teen because of their involvement in the professional sports pipeline, but I would argue that that involvement actually stunts their emotional growth a little bit because of the attention and adulation they continuously get.

Behavioral inconsistency is a feature, not a bug, of teenagers. My youngest kid is draft-aged and she's hella mature for her age (humblebrag here a bit), but even so she can be all over the map expressing herself in a group.

I kinda think that these "inconsistencies" are exacerbated a lot by the numbers of scouts, pundits, reporters, and other hangers-on in the sport - the best case scenario is that the kid shuts all that noise out and develops emotionally on his own, rather than letting all of that stuff poison him.

 

[PainForShane]

I think it's hard sometimes to remember that these are kids, 17- and 18-year-old teenagers. I know a lot of people expect them to be way more mature than the typical teen because of their involvement in the professional sports pipeline, but I would argue that that involvement actually stunts their emotional growth a little bit because of the attention and adulation they continuously get.

Behavioral inconsistency is a feature, not a bug, of teenagers. My youngest kid is draft-aged and she's hella mature for her age (humblebrag here a bit), but even so she can be all over the map expressing herself in a group.

I kinda think that these "inconsistencies" are exacerbated a lot by the numbers of scouts, pundits, reporters, and other hangers-on in the sport - the best case scenario is that the kid shuts all that noise out and develops emotionally on his own, rather than letting all of that stuff poison him.

These are good points, esp your implication that living in a worship bubble can stunt people's emotional development (child actors, anyone?). And you definitely have a lot more daily interaction with teenagers.

Even still... I still thought Logan and Slaf were very consistent, esp compared to Wright. Maybe he grows out of it, maybe not, we'll all see in real time. Either way I definitely find it easier to cheer for Slaf or Cooley, and not just because Cooley's on our team. Glad we picked him

 

[Heldig]

I feel like we need one of Keller or Crouse. We need a veteran top line to lead the kids. Keeping both LWs through this rebuild is excessive in the context of gutting the roster down to the minimum.

I like Crouse a lot and if he's traded, I want a 23 1st and I don't want top 10 protection on it.

Any GM stupid enough to give an unprotected 2023 1st for Crouse should be immediately fired.

 

[Jakey53]

Yeah Wright's behavior is really inconsistent. One example (there are many) is when he looks gutted to be passed over a few times -- but when he talks to the team / press about playing for Seattle he's like, "this worked out perfectly, couldn't be happier" which... I mean it obviously is not true. Sure you have to say good things about your new team but you can do it more authentically, for example something like, "yeah it would've been nice to go first overall and it doesn't feel great to fall so far, but Ron Francis is a hall of famer and I'm excited to be playing in Seattle, seems like a great opportunity to really build something there with guys like Matty Beniers." Just something that a normal person would say or feel in that situation.

Wright just seems off. Doesn't mean he won't be amazing (lots of high achievers have weird personalities), either way hope he has a great career just not against us in the playoffs.

On the other hand Cooley's so excited to be part of the Yotes that all he can do is keep repeating, "Let's go" for the next 10 or 15 minutes when he meets everybody. He just seems a lot more real, really glad we were able to draft him

I think you are reading way too much into this. Wright, like most hockey players are very competitive, and he was ranked 1st. for so long, so when he wasn't picked first it had to hurt, big time. This is their biggest day of their life, emotions and nerves running high, cameras watching your every move etc. and you think his behavior is inconsistent. Come on, let's give these KIDS a break.

 

[lanky]

Any GM stupid enough to give an unprotected 2023 1st for Crouse should be immediately fired.

I'd be happy to get a top 2 protected 1st from a cup contender. Top 10 protection is too much protection though.

 

[rt]

Any GM stupid enough to give an unprotected 2023 1st for Crouse should be immediately fired.

Meh. Crouse is a young +20g +200hit +220lb 2way winger who will fight and stay out of drama. How many of those are there in the NHL? Half a dozen? Less? Every team in the league would kill to add him. Even the small handful of teams that already have someone like him. He’s a rarity in the modern NHL. He’s worth a ton.

 

[Heldig]

Meh. Crouse is a young +20g +200hit +220lb 2way winger who will fight and stay out of drama. How many of those are there in the NHL? Half a dozen? Less? Every team in the league would kill to add him. Even the small handful of teams that already have someone like him. He’s a rarity in the modern NHL. He’s worth a ton.

As @lanky replied, trading him to a contender where the pick will realistically be bottom 10, then sure that makes sense. Thinking of the Jets for example (as it is rumored they are interested) it would be a fineable offense to potentially give up a Fantilli type prospect.

 

[BAdvocate]

Wright's been under a microscope for what....3 years? That's a huge thing that neither Slaf, SpiCooley, nor any other draft pick can imagine. I'll give Wright a pass on all the negative perceptions that are based solely on facial expressions, etc. It was good to see him say "that hurts" as it was the first time I've seen him say anything that he wasn't programmed to say.

 

[Coyotedroppings]

Thought this was the Cooley thread.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

Exactly...and to that topic, anyone hazard to guess who his linemates will be at Minny?

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

I'd expect him to have Snuggerud on 1 wing, would be nice if it was Knies on the other...

 

[Grimes]

Wright's been under a microscope for what....3 years? That's a huge thing that neither Slaf, SpiCooley, nor any other draft pick can imagine. I'll give Wright a pass on all the negative perceptions that are based solely on facial expressions, etc. It was good to see him say "that hurts" as it was the first time I've seen him say anything that he wasn't programmed to say.

Ultimately this is probably all it is. We can overthink it as much as we want but at the end of the day it's a kid who has been super hyped up falling in a draft. I bet in a couple years Wright doesn't think much of it, especially if he has success in SEA. Hell he may have gotten over it the day he stepped into development camp.

Now time will tell if we made the right choice. I have a feeling both players are going to be very good NHL'ers

I'd expect him to have Snuggerud on 1 wing, would be nice if it was Knies on the other...

I think he will be lined up with one of these two. Seems like teams, and especially college teams, find more success spreading out their top players. I don't feel like I often see a completely stacked top line in the NCAA.

I hope UofM stream their games like Boston College did when Keller was on the team. Made it really easy to watch him. Also hope they wreck teams this year and make a splash in the playoffs. Can't wait for the ASU game.

 

[Jakey53]

Meh. Crouse is a young +20g +200hit +220lb 2way winger who will fight and stay out of drama. How many of those are there in the NHL? Half a dozen? Less? Every team in the league would kill to add him. Even the small handful of teams that already have someone like him. He’s a rarity in the modern NHL. He’s worth a ton.

Yet, crickets.

 

[rt]

As @lanky replied, trading him to a contender where the pick will realistically be bottom 10, then sure that makes sense. Thinking of the Jets for example (as it is rumored they are interested) it would be a fineable offense to potentially give up a Fantilli type prospect.

I wouldn’t trade him for less than Samberg AND a decent asset.

Ultimately this is probably all it is. We can overthink it as much as we want but at the end of the day it's a kid who has been super hyped up falling in a draft. I bet in a couple years Wright doesn't think much of it, especially if he has success in SEA. Hell he may have gotten over it the day he stepped into development camp.

Now time will tell if we made the right choice. I have a feeling both players are going to be very good NHL'ers



I think he will be lined up with one of these two. Seems like teams, and especially college teams, find more success spreading out their top players. I don't feel like I often see a completely stacked top line in the NCAA.

I hope UofM stream their games like Boston College did when Keller was on the team. Made it really easy to watch him. Also hope they wreck teams this year and make a splash in the playoffs. Can't wait for the ASU game.

It was easy to find archived BU games back in the Brady Tkachuk days. Have to look into this for the Gophers.

 

[Jamieh]

Wasn't that long ago everyone was expert reporting on how displeased McDavid was being drafted by the Oilers. Yet he signed the max deal he could as soon as it was available and has never once spoke poorly about the City? People try too hard to read something into everything.

 

[moosemeister]

I'd expect him to have Snuggerud on 1 wing, would be nice if it was Knies on the other...

Could you imagine? What a line for that kid to play on.