Big statement regarding Jon Cooper's future with the Lightning

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Julien Trekker
March 6, 2023 (4:43 PM)

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For those who haven't been following what's happening with the Tampa Bay Lightning, know that things are getting shaken up.

Here's a summary:

On Saturday, head coach Jon Cooper made a bold decision against the Buffalo Sabres.

During the third period of the game, Cooper surprised everyone by benching Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, and Brayden Point.

Kucherov, Point, and Stamkos didn't see any ice time in the third period.

A strong message was sent, and while some media outlets are even reporting "internal divisions," many were curious to see how the players would respond the following day.

The result was the worst possible response.

Yesterday, Cooper and the Lightning faced off against the Carolina Hurricanes, and after two periods they had only managed four shots on goal, none of which came in the second period. They ended up losing 6-0.

This marked their fifth straight loss and eighth loss in 10 games.

A strong statement about Jon Cooper's future

Following this tumultuous weekend for the Lightning, the excellent Maxim Lapierre made a bold statement about Jon Cooper's future in Tampa Bay:

"In my opinion, this is the beginning of the end. I have great respect for this coach, he's done great things, but I don't think you sit three guys like that, especially when you've won Stanley Cups with them.

I'm not saying it's intentional, but if the Lightning have zero shots in a period, it's not because they didn't want to."

Meanwhile, Louis Robitaille, head coach of the Gatineau Olympiques, had this to say:

"He certainly wouldn't make that decision if he hadn't won Cups with Tampa. There's going to have to be a lot of work done behind the scenes. Is it too late? I don't know, I'm not in the locker room, but Jon Cooper has never been intimidated in that regard."

Really interesting stuff. What do you think? Did Cooper go too far? Do you believe he's lost his locker room and that this is the beginning of the end for him in Tampa Bay?

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