"Show that I don't s*ck": Maligned netminder Devin Cooley determined to prove his worth on the Flames

Devin Cooley has a simple goal with the Calgary Flames this season. He wants to prove he belongs in the NHL. After a solid preseason debut, he showed just how capable he can be.

In a 6-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers, Cooley made 44 saves and earned first-star honors. His strong performance helped his team secure the win, and his efforts quickly caught the attention of Flames fans.

In a post-game interview, Cooley was clear about his motivation:

"That's kinda why I came here, to show that I don't suck that much and hopefully I can help this team get some wins in the regular season," he said.

Despite his humorous tone, it was clear that Cooley is serious about proving his worth.

At 27 years old, Cooley’s path to the NHL hasn’t been smooth. He made his debut with the San Jose Sharks in the 2023-24 season, playing just over 300 minutes.

In those few games, he earned a 2-3-1 record, with one standout win, a 34-save performance against the St. Louis Blues in April 2024. These glimpses of his potential were enough for the Calgary Flames to take a chance on him.

The Flames signed Cooley to a two-year contract in July. The first year is a two-way deal, meaning he could split time between the NHL and AHL. The second year, however, will be a one-way deal, suggesting the Flames see him as an NHL regular in the future.

With an annual average salary of $775,000, Cooley represents a low-risk investment for Calgary.

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Devin Cooley helped the Flames win 6-3 against Oilers

The Calgary Flames earned a 6-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers in preseason action.

Yan Kuznetsov scored first for Calgary, following a rebound from a Martin Pospisil shot. Shortly after, Jonathan Huberdeau set up Anthony Mantha for a second goal. Goalie Devin Cooley made a big save, stopping Corey Perry and helping the Flames finish the first period up 2-0.

In the second period, Rasmus Andersson scored on the power play, and Matt Coronato added another goal to make it 4-0. Edmonton’s Zach Hyman scored their first goal, but the Flames stayed ahead.

Corey Perry brought Edmonton closer with a third-period goal, making it 4-2. Coronato quickly responded with his second goal, and Justin Kirkland scored a sixth for Calgary. Connor McDavid added a late goal for the Oilers.

Devin Cooley's 44 saves, including a key splits save at the end, helped the Flames secure the 6-3 win. Calgary improved to 3-0 in the preseason.