Tampa Bay Lightning head coach and 2014 Jack Adams Award finalist Jon Cooper likely won't have to dust off that expensive law degree anytime soon. After leading the Bolts through the Stanley Cup playoffs and into the Cup Finals after the 2014-15 NHL season, and now entering the final year of his deal, Cooper and the team are reportedly discussing a contract extension for the 48-year-old head coach. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman first reported the ongoing talks about midday on Tuesday and Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times added to that later that evening.
"Don't be surprised if there's an extension worked out with Cooper, as it is believed that talks have begun," Smith wrote. "Neither Cooper nor Yzerman would comment on the situation, but it appears both are interested in remaining together."
While Tampa Bay fans was likely spent much of this offseason wringing their hands over what the franchise will do with All World forward Steven Stamkos, who also happens to be entering the final year of his deal, the continuation of Cooper's tenure with the team may actually take precedent. Through three NHL seasons the 48-year-old Cooper has proven extremely effective as the bench boss for the Lightning.
The group has steadily improved under his guidance, from an 18-26-4, postseason-less effort during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, to a 2013-14 campaign that saw the team post 46 wins and reach the postseason, to this past year wherein the suddenly deep and productive Lightning lineup made their way to the Cup Finals, where they put forth a strong, if ultimately losing, effort against the NHL champion Chicago Blackhawks.
Four games into the 2015-16 NHL season, Cooper's professional coaching record now stands at 103-60-20. Thanks to Cooper's steady hand, Stamkos' versatility and willingness to play wherever needed, the development of defenseman Victor Hedman and the chemistry of the triplets line of Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov, the Lightning should again be one of the best teams in the league this season.
Assuming they're able to lock both Cooper and Stamkos up at some point this year, that successful run should continue for the foreseeable future.
