Logan Cooley News Will Have A Massive Impact On One High-Profile Blackhawk

On Thursday afternoon, the Arizona Coyotes’ first-round pick (third overall) in the 2022 Draft announced that he had a change of heart, and would not be returning to the University of Minnesota to play hockey this fall. Instead, forward Logan Cooley announced that he would be signing his entry-level contract with the Coyotes.

Cooley was the top center for the Gophers last season, and posted a tremendous year, with 60 points (22 goals, 38 assists) in just 39 games for a plus-minus of 38. He finished the season as runner-up for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top player in collegiate hockey. Cooley finished only behind third-overall pick Adam Fantilli for the award, who had 65 points in 36 games at Michigan.

Cooley initially had plans to return to Minnesota in a few months, and had he stayed, he would have been the overwhelming favorite to take home the hardware as the best player in the NCAA. Instead, he recently opted to cash in on his contract, and heads to Arizona, a move that will likely find him playing in front of smaller crowds than he would have otherwise. Nevertheless, Cooley is expected to drastically improve an already-solid young Coyotes offense, and is already among the leaders in odds to take home the Calder Trophy, behind Chicago’s Connor Bedard, of course.

The move for Cooley means more to Blackhawks fans than just a division rival gearing up, however. Leaving the Gophers means a completely revamped situation for one new member of the Blackhawks organization: Oliver Moore.

Change Of Plans

As the 19th overall pick by Chicago in this year’s Draft, Moore is slated to play at Minnesota this season as he looks to develop into an NHL-caliber player and join the Blackhawks’ elite young group of roster pieces. Up until last week, he would have skated alongside Cooley, as the team’s coaches had discussed using Moore on the wing on the first line. It would have been a chance to learn from his time with a “veteran” player like Cooley. With the Coyotes’ prospect out, plans have certainly changed.

A Silver Lining

However, the news of Cooley’s departure isn’t all bad. In fact, it could represent an ideal opportunity for Moore to be “the guy” for the premier squad in the Big Ten. Moore obviously possesses supreme talent, and his fall to the 19th draft slot was a huge surprise to everyone, GM Kyle Davidson included. He’s expected to be one of the better players at the collegiate level at age 18, as the Blackhawks hope he can make the jump to their roster sooner rather than later. Thus, the young star may be in line to take over the top-line center spot in Cooley’s absence.

A high-level prospect going from the University of Minnesota to the Arizona Coyotes isn’t usually something Blackhawks fans bat an eye at, but the move has huge implications for Oliver Moore. For one of Chicago’s top prospects, a seemingly insignificant move could have a huge impact on his career.