After a third straight first-round playoff exit for the Tampa Bay Lightning, rumors about the future of head coach Jon Cooper began circulating. With the team’s disappointing performance against the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, some speculated that the Lightning might part ways with Cooper, particularly with his ties to the Utah Hockey Club and Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith. However, Lightning General Manager Julian BriseBois swiftly shut down any such speculation on Friday, reaffirming Cooper’s status with the team.
BriseBois made it clear that “Coop will be back next year,” despite the team’s early playoff exit. In a statement shared by ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, the Lightning GM expressed his desire to retain Cooper for the long term, emphasizing their successful partnership over more than a decade.
“It’s going to go on for many years to come, regardless of how many years he’s got left on his contract,“ BriseBois added, squashing any rumors of Cooper’s departure.
Cooper’s future in Tampa Bay secure, Despite Utah connections
Cooper’s connection to the Utah Hockey Club has fueled some of the rumors surrounding his future, especially given his friendship with Ryan Smith. Smith, the owner of the Utah Jazz, has been a vocal admirer of Cooper and even facilitated a mentorship between Cooper and Jazz head coach Will Hardy. Despite this, Cooper himself dismissed the notion of leaving Tampa Bay, expressing that it’s hard for him to imagine coaching anywhere else.
“It’s hard to see myself anywhere else. Tampa’s been home. For my kids, it’s the only city they remember,” Cooper said, affirming his commitment to the Lightning and making it clear that he values his long tenure with the organization.
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What’s next for Lightning?
Despite stellar performances from teammates like Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman, Andrei Vasilevskiy’s struggles have been a major factor in the team’s early playoff exits. As the Lightning look to regroup and bounce back next season, securing Cooper’s future with the NHL team is one step toward maintaining stability during a time of transition.
