He can also sign an NHL contract, play eight games before getting sent to the minors (and therefore have to wait another year to eventually become a UFA), play on the fourth line for two years after that, thereby reducing how much money he can get in his next contract.
Or he can wait a few more years and be a UFA, sign where he wants and potentially make more money longer term.
NHL teams mess with players, their contracts and and development all the time. I have no issues with a player doing the same thing to a team.
Does this impact Cooley's earning potential? Sure, it's one year further from his second contract and one year further from true UFA status. But the career ending injury risk thing is completely overblown. Legitimately when was the last time a player suffered a career ending injury? Voracek with his 12th concussion? AFAIK Cooley has had zero. Pronger with his eye? They wear a full cage. Fact is career ending injuries are exceedingly rare in hockey. It is definitely a risk, but it's an incredibly incredibly small one.
i don't see an issue with this move. he's looking out for himself past the NHL. finish your degree or get closer whatever, dominate the College scene and then sign your contract.
he wants to win, not be an also ran in Arz.
maybe hes debating signing at all, ever with the Arz Yotes..possibly. but why rag on the kid for not signing a (lucrative yes) contract with a tire fire squad?
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I'm not complaining about him not wanting to sign with Arizona. That's his decision. I just have an issue with him not telling them thats his plan with enough time for them to try andctrade his rights to recoup the loss. I can't even say he's doing that today. I'm just saying, if he does do that, it's a crappy move on his part.
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ya i get that, but it wasn't all that long ago when teh TEAMS had all teh upper hand and played the players as pawns..in fact i am raedung Dave Scatchards book right now whereby he talks about his contact with Preds in that as part of his 2way deal, if the Preds held him up in the NHL for more than 30 days they would need to pay his rent / mortgage. so what do you think happened at day 29..he was sent back down, no warnings.
i dont think hes being malicious with this, although i cannot say for sure obviously. teh deal fell through, maybe he's like "F this..im staying here until they get their shit figured out." maybe he was on the fence and that was the last straw?
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I know that the people thinking about the lack of one year of earnings up front are thinking only about dollars. There is some point where things come down to quality of life and what you want to do, or just willful stubbornness. Also depending on the way things break out, there's always a chance you that he does well in college, signs, and then the first year of that contract gets burned late in the year. Not likely to happen in the next couple years, but possible.
That's assuming this is part of a grand plan. We all know people who can't decide on things quickly, or change their minds. Especially as college aged people with all the time in the world.
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