Cooper Marody has certainly become an interesting prospect for the Edmonton Oilers and their fans since being acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers back in March. In the five months that followed, Marody has had an influx of new experiences with the Oilers, including the signing of his first professional contract back in April and a professional debut with the Bakersfield Condors to close out their season. Despite the small sample size, Marody performed admirably with the Condors in his short stint in Bakersfield and will definitely be a prospect to follow as he will be entering his first full professional campaign this fall.
BIO:
Position: Centre — Shoots: Right
Born: December 20th, 1996 — City: Brighton, Michigan, USA
Height: 6 feet 0 inches — Weight: 190 lbs [183 cm/86 kg]
Drafted: 158th overall (sixth round) in 2015
College: University of Michigan — League: Big-10
NEWS AND SCOUTING REPORTS
Jason Gregor spoke about Cooper Marody last week in his countdown of the Top 10 Oilers prospects:
In March, the Oilers acquired him from Philadelphia for a third-round pick (the one they received from New Jersey in the Patrick Maroon trade). Marody turns 22 in December. He was a sixth-round pick in 2015. He played the past three seasons at Michigan in NCAA. He scored 90 points in 90 games over three seasons, including 51 points in 40 games this past year. He did get in three AHL games with Bakersfield late last year and produced three points in three games. Many were impressed, albeit in an extremely small sample size, of how he looked in the AHL. Marody was traded, because he wasn’t going to sign in Philly. He had the option of free agency, and would have gone there, so the Flyers traded him. Marody is likely a bottom six forward, and the Oilers don’t have many right shot centres in the organization. I see him being the first line C in the AHL this year. It makes little sense to have him as the 13th forward in the NHL. He needs to play and I’d play him a lot in the AHL, but I see him being in Edmonton soon.
Dustin Nielson talked about Cooper Marody being close to NHL ready in yesterday’s article about fringe players with a chance to crack the NHL roster:
From what I’ve been told, from someone within the organization, Cooper Marody is likely more NHL ready right now than Drake Caggiula was two years ago. The former Michigan Wolverine can play centre or right wing so his versatility may be something the coaching staff will want around sooner rather than later.
Unlike Yamamoto, Marody won’t need to secure a spot in the top six to be effective. If he doesn’t start in Edmonton I’d definitely put him near the top of the call-up list.
Jameson Ewasiuk checked in on Marody back in June for Dobber Prospects:
In March, the Oilers paid a third round pick for Marody, who was drafted by Philadelphia in the sixth round in 2015. The trade comes following a very strong campaign for the young forward where he recorded 16 goals and 51 points in 40 games and topped it off with a Hobey Baker nomination. The Flyers likely traded Marody due to concerns of him potentially becoming a free agent. In April, the Oilers signed Marody to an entry-level contract. He then recorded three points in three games for Edmonton‘s farm team, the Bakersfield Condors. The trade looks like an overpayment on paper but it could be smart move for the Oilers. Edmonton’s lack of quality forward prospects, the team’s questionable prospect development and poor drafting history, makes trading a draft pick for a pro-ready prospect a potentially savvy move. The young American has strong puck skills and solid vision but must improve his foot speed and become stronger. If Marody shows well in his first season in the AHL, he could see time in Edmonton sooner than later and could be a sneaky good fantasy pickup.
Marody was recently featured in an article on Michigan Daily:
Growing up, Marody knew he wasn’t going to outmuscle or outskate anybody, at least not just yet.
But maybe he could outskill them.
Instead of darting all over the ice in an attempt to make an impact, Marody let the game come to him, eyes scanning all over the rink, carefully anticipating his next move before incisively doing so. His intelligence and calm attitude allowed him to make up for his physical disadvantages and mentally stay ahead of his competition. Know when to pass, know when to shoot. Know when to lie back, know when to go for it.
PRE-DRAFT RANKINGS
- NHL Central Scouting – 53rd
- Future Considerations – 133rd
- Hockey Prospect – 114th
- ISS Hockey – 83rd
VIDEO AND HIGHLIGHTS
As he’s done all summer, Edmonton Future Watch put together a wonderful compilation of highlights from Marody’s 2017-18 season:
Marody’s first professional goal with the Bakersfield Condors:
A spotlight on Marody’s game and skillset from the Big 10 Network:
Marody on overcoming adversity:
SEASON STATS
| SEASON | TEAM | LEAGUE | GP | G | A | TP | PIM | +/- | GP | G | A | TP | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-10 | Honeybaked Bantam Minor AAA | T1EMBHL | 31 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 10 | |||||||
| 2011-12 | St. Mary’s Prep | USHS-MI | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | |||||||
| 2012-13 | St. Mary’s Prep | USHS-MI | 26 | 19 | 23 | 42 | 20 | |||||||
| 2013-14 | Muskegon Lumberjacks | USHL | 58 | 9 | 21 | 30 | 36 | -1 | ||||||
| 2014-15 | Muskegon Lumberjacks | USHL | 14 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 4 | -3 | ||||||
| Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL | 38 | 20 | 29 | 49 | 28 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 6 | |
| 2015-16 | Univ. of Michigan | NCAA | 32 | 10 | 14 | 24 | 20 | 0 | ||||||
| 2016-17 | Univ. of Michigan | NCAA | 18 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 8 | -3 | ||||||
| 2017-18 | Univ. of Michigan | NCAA | 40 | 16 | 35 | 51 | 24 | 20 | ||||||
| Bakersfield Condors | AHL | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
Stats provided by Elite Prospects
Previously:
- All About Ostap Safin
- All About Tyler Benson
- All About Stuart Skinner
- All About Caleb Jones
- All About Kirill Maksimov
- All About Olivier Rodrigue
Sounds like Strome.
Not sure if that is good or bad from your point of view but I could live with that.
It’s good because we didn’t pay as much to get him as we did getting Strome.
If he turns into Ryan Strome that is an amazing acquisition by Chiarelli.
Will Eberle factor in the playoffs … I’ll take Strome and 2.9 million in cap space.
Could be another shrewd trade by Chiarelli and the Oilers management.
Could not as well
Hence I used the word COULD.
If only Chia could win the big trades the way he consistantly wins the small ones.
He would be the best GM in the world if he did that.
As for overpaying FAs, sad to say that will always be the case to bring players to EDM and play at the higher tax rates.
Has continued hi progression by improving at every level without stepping back. Can’t ask for much more from a prospect.
I watched four Michigan games after the trade and was very pleasantly surprised with what I saw from Marody. He was much more skilled and better with the puck than I anticipated, fairly mobile and played a mature game (i.e. an all-situations type of guy). Of course, he was older than many guys on the team but he was a leader and trusted by his coach.
I didn’t see the 3 games in Bakersfield but, from accounts, he was the best player on the ice in one of the three and one of the best in another – a very good start.
He’s no sure bet but he’s trending very well and, as a mature prospect, he isn’t far away from the NHL, if he’s going to get there and he’s likely in line for some NHL games this year when injuries hit.
That is a bit of an issue as I would really like him to have the benefit of the year, or most of it, in Bakersfield to get used to the pro game and get called up on merit if he’s killing it (as opposed to a lack of depth).
The depth is coming – guys like Yamamoto, Benson, Marody will soon be fighting with each other for call-up spots – soon guys like Maksimov and McLeod will join them.
Marody looks pretty good. I have pencilled in as the Condors 1st line center, but it would be great if he plays his way onto the Oilers.
I’ve been mulling over line combinations and Brodziak apparently had a good stretch after St Louis traded Stastny, so maybe a third line with Lucic Brodziak Marody would be worth looking at. If they want to give Strome a try on Draisaitl’s line.
Nuge McDavid Puljujarvi
Rieder Draisaitl Strome
Lucic Brodziak Marody
Aberg Khaira Kassian
I don’t love it but I might like it if Pulj Strome and Marody are playing well.
I did a piece on both Strome as a right winger in the top 6 and Brodziak’s ability to move up the lineup on another site.
The numbers suggest both are viable options.
I dont’ think Brodziak should be the general 3C but I think he has the ability to move up for stretches. His 16 games up the lineup after the trade deadline last year, playing with Steen and Berglund was VERY good. He produced plenty of points, mostly primary and led the team in P/60.
Strome with both McDavid (small sample size of only 56 minutes) and Leon (sample of apx 185 min I believe) increased possession and goal share for both 97 and 29. Strome is solid in the top 6 RW, the team does better with him on McDavid or Drai’s right wing than without him there.
Oh, I forgot, as much as I like Marody and think he has an NHL career ahead of him, I don’t want to project him with NHL minutes this year (although they’ll probably come). I think he deserves to be slow played a bit and allowed to get comfortable with the pro game in Bakersfield. He likely gets the call when injuries start to hit (assuming he is as good in Bakersfield as we think he’s going to be) but I’d rather he not get the call unless he’s really earning it on merit.
This is a reason why I think the organization needs to add another cheap forward – a Nick Shore (or similar) – possibly off the waiver wire.
Another veteran established NHL forward to put another body between the likes of Marody and the NHL (and between the likes of Brad Malone, who is not an NHL player, and the NHL).
I don’t mind those lines at all. Looks like another good option.
Cooper > Drake by Christmas this year. Book it.
No way to tell what he will turn out to be without seeing full games of him, rather than highlights of goals and assists, but I am liking this pick up by Chiarelli. Right-shot and looks to be a smart player, relying on stick-handling rather than speed or power to score points.