Lightning shut down rumors, say coach Jon Cooper will be back next season
Show Caption
Hide Caption
'It's been a fun ride': Paul Bissonnette on being a studio analyst for NHL on TNT
Paul Bissonnette shares what it's like behind the scenes at NHL on TNT.
Sports Seriously
Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper quieted rumors about his future, with the two-time Stanley Cup winner saying Friday that he can't envision himself leading another team.
He told reporters not to believe the chatter about possibilities he won't be back, instead saying only he and general manager Julien BriseBois and team owners have the answer.
"The talk should be whatever comes from Julien and I or ownership," Cooper, 57, said. "Tampa has been home for my kids, it's all they really remember. For me it's hard to see myself anywhere else."
Cooper has led the Lightning since March 2013 and has a 572-306-83 (.638) record in the regular season, and the team intends for him to add to those numbers.
"Coop will be back next year," BriseBois said.
His contract is believed to run through next season, with BriseBois saying he'd like Cooper to sign an extension.
Cooper is the longest-tenured coach in the NHL and won back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021. The Lightning have made the playoffs 11 times under Cooper, who has an 88-67 record (.568) in the postseason.
The Florida Panthers eliminated the Lightning in the first round of this season's playoffs in five games.
Also Friday, BriseBois called it "unlikely" that the Lightning will sign Isaac Howard, whom they selected No. 31 overall in 2022. He won the Hobey Baker Award as the best NCAA men's player in Division I last month while playing forMichigan State.
Speaking last month on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast, Howard said he didn't see the Bolts in his future, making it sound like a foregone conclusion he'd play elsewhere.
"I just feel like with me and Tampa, we didn't see eye to eye the same way I thought we would," he said. "It wasn't a situation where I was demanding to step right into the NHL, it wasn't anything like that. It just didn't necessarily work."
He will become a free agent next year if he does not sign with Tampa Bay.
"He values the opportunity to choose the club that he believes is the best fit for him," BriseBois said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Pittsburgh Steelers Projected to Swing Big Move for Aaron Rodgers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Pittsburgh Steelers have definitely swung for the fences this offseason, adding big names like Aaron Rodgers, D.K. Metcalf and Jalen Ramsey to significantly bolster their Super Bowl chances. However, after trading away George Pickens, it's pretty evident that the Steelers are lacking proven depth in the wide receiver department. More news: Steelers Predicted to Replace Aaron Rodgers With Polarizing INT Leader Sure, Metcalf is terrific, but there isn't a whole lot behind him in the wide receiver room, which could spell some trouble for Pittsburgh this coming season. But at this point, who could the Steelers bring in to provide more help for Rodgers? Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley has identified a potential solution and is predicting Pittsburgh to sign five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper, who is still available in free agency. "Declining isn't the same as #washed, so Cooper should be able to help the right team," Buckley wrote. "He'd have a non-zero chance of stabilizing the WR2 role in Pittsburgh one would think." Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 11, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 11, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo byCooper played for both the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills last season, totaling 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns over 14 games in what was the least productive campaign in his NFL career. That being said, the 31-year-old is just two years removed from hauling in 72 receptions for 1,250 yards and five scores in what was arguably his best season, so perhaps Cooper still has something left in the tank. It couldn't hurt the Steelers to give Cooper a shot. He probably wouldn't cost much at this juncture, and he is at the very least a proven weapon who should be able to add something to Pittsburgh's aerial attack. More news: Caleb Williams' WR Comments are Bad Sign for Bears Rookie Otherwise, the Steelers will be relying on young options like Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson, which doesn't inspire a ton of confidence. It has always seemed hard to imagine Pittsburgh will enter the regular season with its wide receiver form as currently constructed, so maybe the Steelers will make a move here before Week 1. For more on the Steelers and NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Bruins Miss Out On Interesting Potential Target
The Boston Bruins have added many new players to their roster this off-season as they continue their retool. While this is the case, there is no question that they would benefit by bringing in at least one more scoring winger before the season is here. Due to this, one player who could have made sense as a free-agent target for the Bruins was sniper Victor Olofsson. However, that thought can be forgotten, as the 30-year-old winger has reportedly found his new home. According to PuckPedia, Olofsson is set to sign a one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche. He should now be a nice part of Colorado's forward depth as they look to win their first Stanley Cup since 2022. With the Bruins needing more scoring, Olofsson could have been a low-risk player for them to take a chance on with a one-year deal. The 2014 seventh-round pick just put together a solid season with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2024-25, as he posted 15 goals, 14 assists, 29 points, and a plus-17 rating in 56 games. Olofsson has also recorded at least 20 goals and 40 points three times during his career, which includes him scoring a career-high 28 goals in 2022-23 and posting a career-high 49 points in 2021-22. Adding that kind of secondary scoring would have been beneficial for a Bruins club that needs more offense, but alas, he is no longer a potential UFA option for them. Former Bruins Winger Still A Free Agent With it now being the middle of August, things have slowed down around the NHL since July 1. While this is the case, there are still some interesting unrestricted free agents (UFAs) left who could sign professional tryouts (PTOs) before training camps start next month.
NBC Sports
3 hours ago
- NBC Sports
Avalanche add depth at forward by signing Victor Olofsson to a 1-year deal
DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche added depth at forward by signing Victor Olofsson to a one-year deal. The 30-year-old Olofsson spent last season with the Vegas Golden Knights, where he had 15 goals and 14 assists over 56 games. He turned in the longest road point streak in Golden Knights history when he notched at least a point in 10 straight games from Dec. 4 to Jan. 23. Olofsson got his first taste of the Stanley Cup playoffs last season, scoring two goals as the team reached the second round. A seventh-round pick by Buffalo in 2014, Olofsson has 105 goals and 106 assists in 370 games with the Sabres and Golden Knights. He reached two milestones last season — recording his 100th career assist on Jan. 17 and notching his 100th career goal the next night. The 5-fot-11, 180-pound Olofsson was on the 2019-20 all-rookie team. Before arriving in North America, Olofsson played in the Swedish Hockey League for parts of the 2013-18 seasons. He was a member of Team Sweden at the IIHF World Championship in 2021 and 2024. He helped the squad to a bronze medal in '24.
