Jon Cooper made his thoughts clear after the Tampa Bay Lightning lost 3-2 to <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nathan-mackinnon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nathan MacKinnon</a>’s Colorado Avalanche in the 2025-26 NHL season. After a strong first period, the Bolts let the foot off the pedal, allowing the Avs to rally from behind and walk away with all two points.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/tampa-bay-lightning" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tampa Bay</a> had won five games in a row entering the matchup with Colorado. However, the streak was drastically halted by the Avalanche. With the 3-2 loss in Denver, Cooper and the Lightning suffered their first loss since October 23. After the game, Cooper dropped a powerful wake-up call.



“It was good for a bit, and then we got in our own way. And when we get in our own way, it’s usually going to be tough for us,” <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jon-cooper" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jon Cooper</a> commented, via <a href="https://www.nhl.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NHL.com</a>. “I loved our first period. It was unfortunate that [there were] untimely penalties. We took those tonight, but they were a better team for periods two and three. So, that was a little disappointing.”



<h2>Top of the food chain</h2>



Though a tough pill to swallow for Cooper and the Bolts, losing to the Avalanche on the road should be far from discouraging. MacKinnon and the Avs sit on top of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NHL</a> standings with 21 points through the opening 14 games of the 2025-26 season.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251105_BUS_521531_Head-coach-Jon-Cooper-of-the-Tampa-Bay-Lightning-speaks-to-the-media-after-losing-to-the-Chicago-Bla-1024x576_03e87661.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Head coach Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning speaks to the media after losing to the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 in Game Four of the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the United Center on June 10, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois." class="wp-image-388552" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Head coach Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning</figcaption></figure>



Meanwhile, Tampa registers 14 points, which currently has the Bolts fifth in the Atlantic Division. The Eastern Conference is jampacked at the moment, as no team is currently below the .500 mark. It’s still very early, but the race for the Stanley Cup Playoffs could very well turn into a bloodbath in the East.


 

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<h2>MacKinnon stays hot</h2>



With an assist against the Bolts, the former first overall pick in the 2013 NHL entry Draft extended his point streak. Now, MacKinnon has scored or assisted in seven straight outings. Moreover, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/colorado-avalanche" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Avalanche</a>’s star stays atop the league leaders. Through 14 games, MacKinnon has recorded 10 goals (tied for best in the league) and 10 assists.

NHL News: Jon Cooper issues harsh reminder to Lightning after loss to Nathan MacKinnon’s Avalanche

Jon Cooper’s net worth: How much money does the Tampa Bay Lightning coach have?

NHL News: Jon Cooper issues harsh reminder to Lightning after loss to Nathan MacKinnon’s Avalanche - Bolavip US

Cooper issues harsh reminder to Lightning after loss to MacKinnon’s Avalanche

miniaturas

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/connor-bedard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Connor Bedard</a> put on a masterclass as the Chicago Blackhawks routed the Ottawa Senators by a score of 7-3. Recording the first hat trick of his NHL career, Bedard didn’t stutter to dream even bigger with a message to Jon Cooper and Team Canada.



It took a little longer than the former first overall pick expected, but Bedard finally scored his first hat trick. It was a long time coming, but the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/chicago-blackhawks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blackhawks</a>’ messiah has finally seen hats rain down on him at United Center. As Bedard made it clear with an <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/connor-bedard-makes-honest-admission-after-scoring-first-nhl-hat-trick-in-blackhawks-win-vs-senators" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">honest admission after the win vs the Senators</a>, doing so in front of the home fans in Windy City meant a lot more.



With the first three-game performance crossed off his ‘to-do list’ in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NHL</a>, Bedard is now raising the stakes. As he spoke with media after the game, he delivered a sincere comment on his desire to join Team Canada for the upcoming 2026 Olympics in Milan.



“Of course, if that’s something that I get to do, that would be unbelievable, and I would do anything to be on that team,” Bedard told <a href="https://www.nhl.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NHL.com</a>. “But I’m trying to take things day by day and have fun playing in the NHL and trying to grow as a team and win hockey games and do everything I can to play my best hockey. In the end, that’ll be what puts me in a spot to make it.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251029_BUS_517724_connor-bedard-1-1-1024x576_24381e0c.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Connor Bedard" class="wp-image-517785" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Connor Bedard at the United Center on October 28, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. </figcaption></figure>



<h2>Could come back to bite him</h2>



Needless to say, if Bedard can keep up his current form, he’d be a key addition for the Canadian national team during the Olympics. However, Team Canada has enough firepower to put together more than one star-studded roster. When it comes to Bedard in particular, his recent decision during the 2025 IIHF World Championship could play a role.


 

 

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Bedard had been invited to participate in the World Championship taking place in Denmark and Sweden. However, the Blackhawks star opted to turn it down and instead focus on his training for the 2025-26 NHL season. Now, as Bedard is on the outside looking in, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jon-cooper" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cooper</a> and Team Canada’s staff could give him a taste of his own medicine and look elsewhere.



<h2>Follow the leader</h2>



Entering the 2025-26 NHL campaign, all the eyes in Chicago were fixed on Bedard to lead the young team during Jeff Blashill’s first year as head coach. Whether it makes sense or not, 20-year-old Bedard is seen as an experienced leader. So far, he’s produced as one, too. 10 games into the season, Bedard leads the Blackhawks with 12 points—thanks to 6 goals and 6 assists. 



<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">FIRST CAREER HAT TRICK FOR CONNOR BEDARD 🤩 All three goals were very, very pretty. 👀 📺: Frozen Frenzy Whiparound coverage on <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/c9jd6xv2pC">pic.twitter.com/c9jd6xv2pC</a>— NHL (@NHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1983369916792107513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2025</a></blockquote></div> 



With him leading the way, the Hawks have reason to believe. Even if it’s unrealistic for the rebuilding team in the City of Big Shoulders, Blackhawks fans are excited about the NHL season for the first time in years. That’s a success in itself—and it signals a roadmap for Bedard and company to follow.

NHL News: Connor Bedard puts Jon Cooper, Team Canada on notice with bold statement after career-best outing with Blackhawks

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NHL News: Connor Bedard puts Jon Cooper, Team Canada on notice with bold statement after career-best outing with Blackhawks - Bolavip US

Bedard puts Cooper, Team Canada on notice with bold statement after career-best outing with Blackhawks

Jon Cooper’s <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/tampa-bay-lightning" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> and the Los Angeles Kings have seemingly engaged in a game of hot potato. A handful of games into the 2025-26 NHL season, a recent addition to the Bolts is heading back to the Kings.



Phoenix Copley will surely hope he hasn’t lost the number of his real-estate agent in Los Angeles. After being claimed by <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jon-cooper" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cooper</a> and the Lightning off waivers prio to the start of the NHL season, the veteran goalie is headed back to the City of Angels.



“The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-kings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kings</a> have acquired goaltender Pheonix Copley from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for future considerations,” as announced by @LAKingsPR on X (formerly Twitter).



<h2>Short-lived stay in Big Guava</h2>



While the 33-year-old netminder hoped a change of scenery might re-ignite his <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NHL</a> career, it simply wasn’t meant to be in Tampa. With rumors of Andrei Vasilevskiy being injured, Copley’s chances to man the Bolts’ crease temporarily increased. However, with Vasilevskiy having played in three of Tampa’s four games, there is no spot for the waiver addition in the lineup.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251015_BUS_509992_phoenix-copley-1024x576_79507c70.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-510034" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Phoenix Copley playing for the Los Angeles Kings</figcaption></figure>



Instead, the goaltender born and raised in North Pole, Alaska (not the actual North Pole, but a town roughly 1,700 miles from the top of the world) is headed back to Los Angeles. The odds of him serving an extended role like he did during the 2023-24 campaign—when he appeared in 37 games—are slim to none, however.


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<h2>Goaltending room in LA</h2>



With Copley’s return to the organization, the Kings now boast a goalie room filled with experience. Darcy Kuemper (35), Anton Forsberg (32), and Phoenix Copley (33) will be competing for ice-time, though the former is the clear-cut starter. Los Angeles boasts one of the oldest goaltending rooms in the NHL.



After trading for Copley, the Kings have assigned 25-year-old Erik Portillo to the AHL affiliate Ontario Reign. In addition to Portillo, the Kings have 19-year-old goalie George Carter, who is signed to his entry-level contract, in their ranks as well.

NHL News: Jon Cooper, Lightning part ways with recent acquisition being bounced around with Kings

NHL News: Jon Cooper, Lightning part ways with recent acquisition being bounced around with Kings - Bolavip US

Cooper, Lightning part ways with recent acquisition being bounced around with Kings

Going after <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/aaron-ekblad" rel="nofollow">Aaron</a><a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/aaron-ekblad" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a><a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/aaron-ekblad" rel="nofollow">Ekblad</a> and other Florida Panthers stars came at a price for Jon Cooper and the Tampa Bay Lightning. As the NHL’s Department of Player Safety conducted hearings with players involved, a veteran minor-league player in Tampa has been suspended.



The NHL season wouldn’t feel right if there weren’t bad blood already boiling between the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/florida-panthers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Panthers</a> and Lightning. The Battle of Florida is alive and well—and the two organizations have yet to meet in an official game.



Following Scott Sabourin’s roughing call against Ekblad during the preseason finale, the Department of Player Safety stepped in, handing the forward on the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/tampa-bay-lightning" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lightning</a> a multi-game suspension. 



“Tampa Bay Lightning forward Scott Sabourin is suspended four games for roughing against Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad,” as announced by @NHLPlayerSafety through its X account (formerly Twitter).



<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Scott Sabourin RAN OVER Aaron Ekblad and then started throwing punches 😳 <a href="https://t.co/TAMXJnozXM">pic.twitter.com/TAMXJnozXM</a>— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) <a href="https://twitter.com/GinoHard_/status/1974615184271372762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2025</a></blockquote></div>



<h2>Sent a message</h2>



After a heated preseason game in Tampa, the Bolts and Cats met again in Sunrise for the third and final time in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NHL</a> preseason. Right from the get-go, the Lightning came out of the gate determined to go after the reigning Stanley Cup champions.


 

 

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Just over two minutes into the game, Sabourin chased Ekblad into the end wall before delivering a body hit. It was all legal up to that point, but the undrafted veteran then struck the former first-overall pick in the face and dropped the gloves, even though Ekblad had no intention of getting into a fight.



It was clear the Lightning weren’t looking to win as much as they were trying to avenge the events of the past game. As a result, three Bolts’ players were ejected in the opening 15 minutes. What was supposed to be an exhibition turned ugly, leading to 322 penalty minutes, 16 ejections, and two suspensions handed out to Tampa Bay.



In addition to Sabourin, blueliner J.J. Moser has been suspended two games for boarding Florida forward Jesper Boqvist. Contrary to Sabourin, Moser might play a big role for Cooper and the Bolts. Last season, he made 54 appearances, recording 14 points (2G, 12A).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251006_BUS_504277_Jon-Cooper-1-1024x576_e7d5d21e.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-377367" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Jon Cooper attends a press conference </figcaption></figure>



<h2>Can afford it</h2>



While a four-game suspension to start the season would be costly for any NHL team when it comes to key players, Sabourin isn’t quite that for <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jon-cooper" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cooper</a>’s Lightning. Since 2020, Sabourin has played in just 12 NHL games, being mostly utilized in the AHL. 


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After signing as a free agent in Tampa during the summer, his role isn’t expected to change. His spot on the organization is most likely reserved on the Syracuse Crunch. Thus, him being suspended four games by the NHL is anything but a big blow to the roster in Cigar City.

NHL News: Panthers’ Aaron Ekblad roughing leads to multi-game suspension for Lightning’s minor-league veteran

NHL News: Panthers give up on former Brad Marchand teammate despite stellar preseason run

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NHL News: Panthers' Aaron Ekblad roughing leads to multi-game suspension for Lightning's minor-league veteran - Bolavip US

Panthers' Ekblad roughing leads to multi-game suspension for Cooper, Lightning's veteran

Andrei Vasilevskiy made a late return to the ice during Tampa Bay Lightning’s NHL preseason. However, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jon-cooper" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jon Cooper</a> and company have yet to put him in net for any game, drawing concerns about his health. In the meantime, the addition of another goaltender further feeds the mystery in Tampa.



The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/tampa-bay-lightning" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lightning</a> are welcoming undrafted goaltender Phoenix Copley to their ranks ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season-opener. While an intriguing addition to the team in the Big Guava, most fans see it as a bad sign on Vasilevskiy’s status.



As first reported by Frank Seravalli on X, the Bolts have claimed Copley from waivers, where the Los Angeles Kings had placed him. Though Copley played a big role for the team in L.A. during the 2022-23 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NHL</a> campaign, he’s since only appeared in nine games in the past two seasons. Copley has spent most of that time with the Ontario Reign in the AHL.



<h2>Next man up</h2>



While reports suggest Vasilevskiy is manning the crease for Tampa Bay during Saturday’s preseason finale, signs indicate the two-time Stanley Cup champion may not be fully healthy. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251002_BUS_502380_phoenix-coplet-1024x576_cdf677f4.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-502405" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Pheonix Copley at UBS Arena on December 09, 2023 in Elmont, New York.</figcaption></figure>



“At first glance, it might be a concerning situation arising as Andrei Vasilevskiy has been absent for most of training camp for what the team has described as ‘player maintenance‘,” as reported by lightninginsider.com on Copley’s waiver addition.


 

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If that’s the case, Cooper and the staff in Cigar City may have to turn to other names in the goaltending room. Jonas Johansson is expected to round out the tandem behind Vasilevskiy and would therefore get the start if the Russian goalie can’t dress for the season opener on October 9 against the Ottawa Senators. Still, Copley could make a lasting first impression and earn his shot in the Bolts’ net.



<h2>North Pole-native</h2>



Born in North Pole, Alaska—1,700 miles from the actual North Pole—Copley is one of the NHL’s more intriguing names. The 33-year-old netminder is now looking to re-establish himself as a viable option in goal. He managed to do just that with the Kings during the 2022-23 season, appearing in 37 games for Los Angeles. 



Since then, however, things have trended downward. Last season, Copley saw the ice only once, coming in for relief of David Rittich, who had allowed four goals on 14 shots. The Kings went on to lose 6-2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Copley hasn’t stood between the pipes in the NHL since that rough outing on October 16, 2024.

NHL News: Jon Cooper, Lightning add intriguing veteran amid growing concerns around Andrei Vasilevskiy

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NHL News: Jon Cooper, Lightning add intriguing veteran amid growing concerns around Andrei Vasilevskiy - Bolavip US

Cooper, Lightning add intriguing veteran amid growing concerns around Vasilevskiy

The modern <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl">NHL</a> is a chess match played at breakneck speed. While the spotlight is on the players, the true masterminds are on the bench. A coach’s tactical genius and leadership can mean the difference between championship glory and defeat.



Winning the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/stanley-cup">Stanley Cup</a> is an expensive business. As the stakes rise, so does the price for a winning formula. Teams are no longer shy about opening their wallets for the strategic vision they believe can deliver a championship.



The NHL has entered a new era where strategic value is measured in millions. This season’s highest-paid coaches aren’t just bench bosses; they are franchises’ most significant investments in the chase for a championship.



<h2>Bruce Cassidy – Vegas Golden Knights ($4.5 million)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250924_BUS_497975_Bruce-Cassidy-1024x576_5ea72cda.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-497990" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Bruce Cassidy of the Vegas Golden Knights in 2025. (Source: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



Bruce Cassidy is a master of adaptation. His arrival in Las Vegas was a bold statement by the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/vegas-golden-knights">Golden Knights</a>, who were looking for a coach capable of leading them to the promised land, and he did it in his first season. 



His $4.5 million annual salary is the price of a Stanley Cup, as to Front Office Sports reported. He is a defensive-minded strategist who focuses on discipline and attention to detail, a philosophy that perfectly fit the Golden Knights’ mindset. 



His ability to take a talented team and turn it into a champion in such a short time has positioned him as one of the league’s highest-paid and most valued coaches. His contract is a reward for immediate success and for the validation that his system is elite.



<h2>Jared Bednar – Colorado Avalanche ($4.9 million)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250924_BUS_497975_Jared-Bednar-1024x576_3d9d4be7.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-497993" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Jared Bednar of the Colorado Avalanche in 2025. (Source: Michael Reaves/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



Jared Bednar doesn’t fit the traditional mold of an elite coach. His path to success has been more understated, but his annual salary, close to $4.9 million according to Front Office Sports, reflects the immense confidence of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/colorado-avalanche">Colorado Avalanche</a> front office. 



Bednar is a calm and calculating strategist who transformed a struggling franchise into an NHL powerhouse and Stanley Cup champion. He is the second-longest-tenured coach in the league, which underscores his value in a high-pressure environment. 



His success is built on his ability to get the most out of his roster’s talent and his high-speed playing philosophy. His contract is a clear endorsement of his vision, proving that in the world of hockey, consistency and quiet excellence come at a very high price.



<h2>Jon Cooper – Tampa Bay Lightning ($5.3 million)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250924_BUS_497975_Jon-Cooper-1-1024x576_dd9392ad.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-497997" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lighting in 2024. (Source: Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jon-cooper">Jon Cooper</a> is not just a coach; he is the architect behind one of modern hockey’s most impressive dynasties. His annual salary, estimated at $5.3 million according to Front Office Sports, is more than just a figure—it’s a recognition of his unprecedented longevity and success with the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/tampa-bay-lightning">Tampa Bay Lightning</a>.



Unlike others on this list who have moved between teams, he has been the rock of Tampa Bay, guiding the franchise to multiple finals and Stanley Cups with a blend of talent development and a versatile, offensive-minded philosophy. 



In a league where stability behind the bench is rare, he is a testament to what can be achieved when a club and a coach have a shared long-term vision, and his salary is the reward for that unshakeable and successful partnership.



<h2>Mike Sullivan – New York Rangers ($6.5 million)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250924_BUS_497975_Mike-Sullivan-1-1024x576_2a78ed1f.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-497980" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Mike Sullivan of the New York Rangers in 2025. (Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/mike-sullivan">Mike Sullivan</a> is not just a coach; he is one of the NHL’s most revered tactical minds. His arrival with the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/new-york-rangers">New York Rangers</a> isn’t just a signing; it’s a record-breaking five-year, $32.5 million investment, setting a new benchmark for a head coach’s salary, as Front Office Sports reported.



The number doesn’t just speak to his past success—including two consecutive Stanley Cups with the Penguins—but to the front office’s urgency to bring in a proven leader capable of turning potential into a championship reality. 



He is a strategist who demands the utmost from his players, and his teams are known for their discipline and relentless pace. In a demanding market like New York, his contract is a testament to the belief that he is the perfect man to guide the franchise to the top of the hockey world. 



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td>Rank</td><td>Coach</td><td>Team</td><td>Annual salary</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>Mike Sullivan</td><td>New York Rangers</td><td>$6.5 million</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Jon Cooper</td><td>Tampa Bay Lightning</td><td>$5.3 million</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Jared Bednar</td><td>Colorado Avalanche</td><td>$4.9 million</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Bruce Cassidy</td><td>Vegas Golden Knights</td><td>$4.5 million</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>

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<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jon-cooper">Jon Cooper</a> and the Tampa Bay Lightning had grown accustomed to deep playoff runs in the NHL. The last couple of years were anything but that, though, with consecutive first-round losses to the cross-state rivals, the Florida Panthers. In hopes of turning the tide back in their favor, the Bolts head into a crucial season. However, drama has already emerged for Brayden Point and company.



Cooper and the Bolts have faced adversity before. More importantly, they’ve overcome it multiple times. <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/tampa-bay-lightning" rel="sponsored nofollow">Tampa Bay</a> knows what it takes to win in the NHL, but its current roster is simply not getting it done at the moment.



Although the lineup is stacked with household names and star talent, something seems off for the organization in the Big Guava. Point, Kucherov, Hedman, Guentzel, and Vasilevskiy are just a few of the elite players in town. Even so, a major absence in the forward group might prove too much to overcome in the opening stretch of the 2025–26 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl">NHL</a> season.



“Forward Nick Paul had surgery last Friday for an upper body injury and is out until early November, per GM Julien BriseBois,” Lightning’s beat reporter Benjamin Pierce stated.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250917_BUS_493567_nick-paul-1024x576_9d83eac4.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-493630" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Nicholas Paul on October 10, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. </figcaption></figure>



<h2>Paul can return to a celebration</h2>



Coming off a 41-point season with the Lightning, Paul will be sidelined to begin the 2025-26 campaign. That means his chase for the career 200-point mark will be put on hold for a while. However, as soon as he returns to the ice in Central Florida he’ll get the chance to reach the accolade, and more.


 

 

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As it stands, Paul is just one point shy of the 200th of his career. The 30-year-old forward is also only three goals away from the 100-mark. Perhaps it’s wishful thinking, but what could be better than a hat trick upon his return to capture both milestones? If that happens, the celebration in the locker room might call for Cigar City to outdo itself in production.



<h2>What’s missing?</h2>



The Lightning aren’t used to losing this early in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. After the infamous 2019 sweep at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets—when Tampa Bay was coming off a record-setting regular season—the Bolts had hoped first-round exits were a thing of the past.



Still, the Panthers had other plans. While it’s unfair to pin postseason defeats on a single factor, goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy believes there’s one key area where his teammates keep coming up short.


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“We have to learn to score goals in overtime,” Vasilevskiy boldly said, per The Tampa Bay Times’ Eduardo Encina. “No wonder we can’t win. The home record in the playoffs, terrible, in front of our fans getting (expletive)-kicked. Sometimes you have to play simple instead of trying to make hero plays”

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<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jon-cooper">Jon Cooper</a> and the Tampa Bay Lightning have decided going back to basics might be for the best after yet another playoff exit in the NHL. Now, a retired three-time Stanley Cup champion is returning to the Big Guava, though in a new capacity.



The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/tampa-bay-lightning">Lightning</a> experienced plenty of success with Pat Maroon in the organization. Therefore, as the tide got rough for Cooper and the Bolts, the recently retired forward is joining the team in Cigar City in a new role off the ice and the action.



Instead, the Lightning announced Maroon will be serving in a full-time capacity as team ambassador. Moreover, the new assignments won’t stop there for the 37-year-old.



“In his new role, he will work closely with the Lightning in a variety of ways, including community appearances, growing the game of hockey in the Tampa Bay Area and supporting the organization in other facets. Maroon will also serve as an analyst for the team’s revamped television broadcast during the 2025-26 season,” the announcement read, via NHL.com.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250905_BUS_485605_jon-cooper-pat-maroon-1024x576_8dfc159a.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-485653" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Jon Cooper and Pat Maroon during the 2022 Stanley Cup Final</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Excited for the future</h2>



Maroon wasn’t precisely beloved by the rest of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl">NHL</a> fanbases, but he was a fan-favorite in Tampa. The Lightning took him in as a free agent in 2019, and since an everlasting bond was built. Now, Maroon is back with the Bolts, following brief stints with the Minnesota Wild, Boston Bruins, and Chicago Blackhawks.


 

 

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“Being back in Tampa, winning two Stanley Cups, the fans mean a lot to me,” Maroon admitted. “They’ve done everything, sold out hundreds of consecutive games. Now I get the time to chat with some fans and hang out and be part of the community and support the Tampa community. It’s going to be awesome, so I’m really looking forward to that.”



<h2>Just shy of four straight</h2>



Though far from being the fastest or most skilled player on a nightly basis, Maroon thrived in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/stanley-cup">Stanley Cup</a> Playoffs. When the space narrowed down and players were hemmed in on the ice, that’s when his big size made the difference.



As a result, it’s no wonder Maroon completed a rare back-to-back-to-back in the NHL. He won his first with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, and followed it up with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/nhl-teams-back-to-back-stanley-cup-wins">consecutive Stanley Cup conquests</a> with Cooper’s Lightning in 2020 and 2021. 



<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Pat Maroon strikes and the Lightning have goal No. 5️⃣ ⚡️ <a href="https://t.co/GCrxL2bzzU">pic.twitter.com/GCrxL2bzzU</a>— ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1539064786704486400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2022</a></blockquote></div>



Had it not been for the Colorado Avalanche, Maroon would have hoisted a fourth Cup in 2022. Still, when he called it a career during the 2024–25 season, his trophy cabinet was more than full. Now, he hopes to help the Bolts capture their fourth Cup in franchise history but in a new place.

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