Lightning GM Addresses Jon Cooper's Future After Playoff Exit

Jon Cooper has won two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but they have been eliminated in the first round four straight years.

by Nathan Smith

May 5, 2026

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper and his staff leave the ice after the loss against the Montreal Canadiens in game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre.

Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

To start the 2020s, the Tampa Bay Lightning were the most successful team in the NHL, reaching three straight Stanley Cup Finals while winning in 2020 and 2021. Superstars like Victor Hedman and Andrei Vasilevskiy have led the way, but as they age, Tampa Bay has struggled to recreate that success.

In the regular season, they've been fairly consistent, reaching the Stanley Cup playoffs nine straight years, but with their recent loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7, questions now need to be asked of the organization. Even before this, there was speculation over Jon Cooper's future as head coach, and while he was quietly extended by the team last year, the chatter about a potential departure has not quieted.

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper (top) reacts during the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Until now, however, that speculation has not been addressed by the organization. General manager Julien BriseBois made his stance on Cooper's future with Tampa Bay clear.

"He's going to be here for a while," BriseBois said.

Cooper has become the most successful head coach in franchise history, posting a record of 622-332-89 after arriving partway through the 2012-13 season. The Lightning have made the playoffs in 11 of his 12 full seasons, finishing lower than fourth in the Atlantic Division on just one occasion in that stretch.