It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re now into the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, teams that got eliminated in the opening round are having to sort things out. These clubs have to figure things out with rosters and the coaching staff. A number of these teams are hoping to figure things out in order to make a deeper run in the post-season. This edition of NHL rumours focuses on the future of the Tampa Bay Lightning‘s longtime bench boss.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Tampa Bay Lightning Management Want to Extend Head Coach
Rumour: Tampa Bay Times beat writer Eduardo A. Encina recapped the end-of-season media availability of general manager Julien BriseBois. One of the main topics was the future of Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper.
Asked JBB whether Cooper’s contract goes beyond next season & he wouldn’t go into it:
“I understand that a question that’s relevant for our fans, it’s relevant for our players, relevant to our organization. I’m not worried about Jon Cooper’s job security nor should he be.” 1/2— Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) May 2, 2025
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Analysis: The Lightning didn’t get past the first round once again. However, there’s no denying that Cooper is one of the better coaches in the league. Cooper has won two Stanley Cups and helmed Canada to the Four Nations Face-Off crown.
After making the Stanley Cup Final in 2022, the Lightning have lost to both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers in the first round of the post-season. The latter team has eliminated Tampa Bay two seasons in a row.
Some wondered what the future held for Cooper after another opening-round exit. However, BriseBois quickly snuffed out any talk of a coaching change. Tampa’s GM guaranteed that Cooper would be back for the next season.
BriseBois did reassure Lightning fans that the heralded head coach would return for next season. However, Cooper will be heading into the next season on the final year of his current deal. If a name like Cooper hits the opening market, it could cause a massive bidding war with teams vying for his services.
What It Means
However, BriseBois was quick to assure fans that management is working on locking down Cooper to another deal. “I understand that a question that’s relevant for our fans, it’s relevant for our players, relevant to our organization,” BriseBois said. “I’m not worried about Jon Cooper’s job security nor should he be.”
Cooper is the longest-tenured head coach in the NHL. The 57-year-old had been part of speculation due to connections with the Utah Hockey Club. Cooper is friends with Utah HC owner Ryan Smith, who spoke highly of the decorated bench boss. Smith once compared Cooper to fictional coach Ted Lasso. Utah has made strides under current bench boss Andre Tourigny, but the lure for a big splash in the coaching market could be hard to resist for Smith.
The lure of a new challenge could entice Cooper, who has been with Tampa Bay for over a decade. Tampa’s continued struggles in the playoffs may have been a catalyst, but things will stay the same behind the bench at least for 2025-26.
We’ve also seen Cooper do some analyst work for Turner Sports during this post-season. This could be a chance for him to reset and make a comfortable living on American television.
Cooper did also say that it was hard to see himself anywhere else. This could taken as a reassuring sign that he wants to continue leading a franchise that’s a perennial contender.
Main photo by: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
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