Calgary Flames linked to goaltender Devin Cooley in free agency
By Nathan Smith
Beyond the rumoured Jake DeBrusk deal, all has been quiet on the Calgary Flames free agency front to this point, but now on the eve of the July 1st opening, we have an intriguing new report emerging.
According to multiple sources, the Calgary Flames have interest in 27-year old goaltender Devin Cooley, who made his NHL debut in 2023-24 with the San Jose Sharks after successfully toiling away in the AHL for years.
#Flames things to watch on the eve of free agency:
— Pat Steinberg (@Fan960Steinberg) July 1, 2024
-if Oliver Kylington hits the market, does he go elsewhere or sign back in Calgary?
-who do they sign in net? Devin Cooley is a fascinating target and fits the bill.
-does the rumoured Jake DeBrusk signing happen?
In six NHL appearances with the Sharks, Cooley posted a 4.68 GAA and an .870 save percentage, and while those are dreadful numbers, they certainly weren't helped by playing behind the worst team in the entire league. At 27-years of age, he's now coming into his prime after finally making his NHL debut, and for a Flames team looking at an AHL replacement for Dustin Wolf that could serve as their No. 3 behind Dan Vladar, he makes perfect sense.
Devin Cooley 49 saves on 50 shots, ending the night with a .980 SV%.#SJSharks pic.twitter.com/9pONARrhbC
— SnipeCity420 (@SnipeCity420) April 12, 2024
At this point in time, Calgary should be looking to take on bad contracts to land further assets as well as signing potential trade chips down the line, and while Cooley may not fit the first mold, he could be someone that gets flipped at the deadline for a solid future draft pick.
Free agency begins on July 1st, so we will get answers on Cooley, DeBrusk and whatever else the Flames plan on doing, but for a No. 3 goaltender, it's safe to say that Cooley wouldn't be the worst option for Calgary.