Matthew Knies and Logan Cooley Hope To Keep the Coyotes in Arizona

Matthew Knies may be a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he also grew up in Arizona, a Coyotes fan, and wants the team to stay in the state.

“It’s my hometown team. It is awesome to see all the guys doing well and especially having a familiar face like Cooley there,” Knies stated. “I’d love for them to do well. They are going to trend in the right direction soon. I think they have a good staff there too. I have some familiar connections with Shane Doan as well. I wish them the best. It’s always good to see your hometown team doing well.”

Even if the Coyotes move at some point, the team left a legacy of creating fans like Knies, teammate Auston Matthews, and more. They do deserve credit for that.

“For sure. Growing up there, it wasn’t considered the biggest hockey hotbed for youth hockey, at least,” Knies remembered. “I think it’s trending upwards for sure. It’s growing. A lot more kids are playing, and it has a lot to do with the Coyotes. It’s good to see, and I want it to keep going that way. It would be the ideal thing for them to stay there. I know when I was a kid growing up there, it meant a lot to have an NHL team there.”

Knie’s experience last season is a big help, but it doesn’t guarantee him a roster spot, even though I’m sure he has one sewn up already.

“Makes me more familiar with the NHL base and the games,” said Knies. “I’m excited to go back there and play with the guys. It was a good opportunity to play there, but there’s no guarantee I’ll make the roster this year. I have to show up to training camp prepared.”

Cooley could make Arizona that feel-good team if he’s able to get things going early. He has exceptional speed and hockey I.Q. and should be in the Calder running. After a very successful 2023 Draft, coupled with this it should give Coyotes fans some hope as far as on the ice goes.

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“I think there are a lot of guys who rush in the league, and it takes a few years to get going,” Cooley admitted.

“I wanted to be the most prepared I could be. I wanted to be the readiest because it’s a super hard league. There will be a lot of ups and downs. I wanted to make sure I was super ready. Make sure I was strong enough, fast enough, I think that year in Minnesota helped me greatly.”

The Coyotes extended head coach, Andre Tourigny, and Cooley briefly talked with him about his system.

“We spoke a little bit. It was more kind of getting to know each other a little more. He called to make sure how everything was going in the summer. Just small talk until I get down there in a few days,” Cooley said at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase a week ago.

If the Coyotes are going to stay in Arizona, Cooley and Clayton Keller are the reasons. This situation will start to get talked about more mid-season as far as their future plans.