TSN Analyst Voices Concerns With Flames’ Devin Cooley’s Interviews

However, it’s his personality that’s attracting attention beyond Calgary. While many fans have embraced his refreshingly honest answers, former NHL player and TSN analyst Jeff O’Neill has expressed some concern about how those interviews might be received when things inevitably get tougher.

Jeff O’Neill Questions Cooley’s Interviews

It’s fair to say there aren’t many players quite like Cooley in today’s NHL. Goaltenders are often known for having unique personalities, and the Flames netminder certainly fits that description. Rather than relying on the predictable answers that have become common in postgame interviews, he has no issue letting his personality shine through.

That approach has made Cooley a fan favourite in Calgary. His candid responses offer a glimpse into his thought process and bring a different kind of entertainment to the game. O’Neill, however, wonders whether those same comments could become a talking point for the wrong reasons if the Flames hit a rough patch.

“I worry about some of his interviews,” O’Neill said on TSN’s OverDrive. “He’s getting a lot of press and he’s a fascinating guy to listen to. It’s refreshing how he talks about where his head is at, the demons and this and that. That doesn’t go well when things sour, you know what I mean? I don’t know where that goes.”

O’Neill wasn’t necessarily criticizing Cooley’s approach. In fact, he acknowledged that he enjoys listening to the goaltender speak. His concern centres on whether the public perception of those comments could change when the team isn’t winning.

“I like it, I appreciate it. I just don’t know where that goes if things go a little bit south.”

It’s a reasonable question considering how quickly the narrative surrounding a player can change in professional sports. A comment that seems entertaining during a winning streak can be interpreted differently when a team is struggling. Still, that doesn’t necessarily mean Cooley should be any less open in front of the cameras.

More importantly, this isn’t a new side of the goaltender that has emerged during his recent success. Cooley was giving similarly candid answers throughout the 2025-26 campaign, a season in which the Flames finished 29th in the NHL standings with only 34 wins.

He also attracted attention before arriving in Calgary. During a brief six-game stint with the San Jose Sharks in 2023-24, Cooley went viral for a memorable quote that perfectly captured his unconventional outlook.

“Nobody cares. You know, nothing’s really gonna matter. We’re all gonna die,” he said.

In other words, Cooley’s personality isn’t dependent on the Flames winning hockey games. He’s been this way for years, making it difficult to argue that his recent run of success is the reason he’s comfortable speaking his mind.

Cooley Shouldn’t Have to Change Who He Is

O’Neill’s concern is worth considering, but there’s a difference between a player being authentic and a player making comments that take away the spotlight from the entire team. Nothing in Cooley’s interviews suggests that he’s trying to make himself the centre of attention at the expense of the people around him.

Instead, his answers offer a rare glimpse into the mind of an NHL goaltender. The position comes with enormous pressure, and Cooley’s willingness to discuss his thought process, including the mental challenges that come with the job, provides a different perspective than fans typically get from postgame interviews.

Of course, there’s no guarantee that every comment will land the same way during a losing streak. Professional athletes are subject to increased scrutiny when results aren’t going their way, and Cooley won’t be immune to that. But the possibility of criticism shouldn’t automatically mean he needs to change his approach.