Build the Statues!
Logan Cooley’s new deal and Dylan Guenther’s clutch gene give Utah its best shot at a State Street parade—and a jersey culture flip to 11 and 92.
I’m going to start with a bold statement: we’ve deified Karl Malone and John Stockton too much.
I know that’ll draw ire. Some of you might unsubscribe—which would be a shame because you’d be out of the drawing for the Big Stick (and gloves) Giveaway. Some of you might be spitting at the screen—which impacts you a lot more than me, but hey, you do you.
I’m standing by it. Here’s a hot take: no major North American market has celebrated a duo that never brought home a title quite like Utah has elevated Stockton and Malone.
Here come the comments. “Austin, you buffoon—Stockton is the NBA’s all-time leader in assists and steals, and Malone won two MVPs and almost grabbed the all-time points crown (briefly, he would have lost it to LeBron eventually).”
All true. Also true: there’s never been a ticker-tape parade down State Street. There are no championship banners hanging in the Delta Center. Local legends? Absolutely. But to the rest of the world, it doesn’t mean a thing if you don’t have that ring.
Now to the present: a pair of freshly minted, Gen Z multimillionaires have a chance to change everything. If they pull it off, Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley won’t just get statues. They achieve actual immortality. Free Crown Burger for life.
Frankly, if they hoist a Cup in Utah, we should name the corner of 400 S and South Temple after them—John and Karl can keep their street and their bronzes on the other side of the building.
The contract, the heater, and the runway
Quick today-note before we start pouring bronze: Logan Cooley just signed an eight-year, $80 million extension at age 21. It kicks in next season, he’s leading Utah in goals and near the top in points through 11 games, and yes—$10M AAV is now the biggest number on the Mammoth books. This isn’t a finished product; it’s a rocket still clearing the tower.
And the message around the deal was loud. GM Bill Armstrong called it “an eight-year contract… that helps the franchise take a huge step toward becoming a championship organization,” praising Cooley as “an elite centerman” whose edge is “drive and character.”
Cooley knows the assignment. “I want to win the Stanley Cup… our core—Guenther, Keller, Sergachev and the group—makes this the most fun I’ve had playing hockey.”
Guenther, for his part, is already locked up long-term: 8 years, $57.14M, signed at 21 last season. He’s got the clutch gene—and he’s still got runway to go.
Owner Ryan Smith gave both young stars a shoutout on Wednesday.
“Dylan Guenther set the tone, and Logan followed,” he said. “These guys are all-in on one another, on Utah, and on what we’re building.”
Why these two are different
In football terms, Stockton–Malone were ground and pound. Cooley–Guenther, on the other hand, are the spread offense. They don’t just win games; they flip scripts in a flash and make visiting teams nervous.
The ages matter because the growth curve matters—early-20s now means steeper gains at 24–27, 28. The front office is building like it believes the same thing—Armstrong literally talked about a “championship window in that horizon,” and both guys choosing max-length deals shows they believe it too.
The Guenther effect (said out loud)
You can learn a lot by who gets named in a presser that’s about someone else. Today? Guenther’s name kept popping up. That means something.
I could see Guenther being an alternate captain on this team one day, maybe even the successor to Keller’s captaincy; which I hope is not for a while.
From throwbacks to future classics
For three decades, the safest Utah sports gift was a vintage Stockton 12 or Malone 32 jersey from Fanzz. That flips the second a Cup lands here. Suddenly it’s Utah Mammoth sweaters—GUENTHER 11 and COOLEY 92—moving from “new release” to “must-own” to “vintage” in record time. Champions tend to do that.
Cooley and Guenther embody hard work, family, love for their teammates—and above all, joy. These are the heroes we’ve been waiting for.
Stockton and Malone walked so Guenther and Cooley could run. And soon, they’ll lead a parade down State Street—with Lord Stanley at the front of the party we’ve waited a lifetime to throw. Get your seats now. Dibs on a spot in front of the Maverik on 200 S—just in case I need to use the restroom before then.