NHL Insider Gives Shocking Prediction On The Future Of Lighting Coach Jon Cooper

Back in 2013, the Tampa Bay Lightning hired Jon Cooper, and since that point he's been one of the best Head Coaches in the NHL, leading this team to four Stanley Cup Finals, winning the second and third Cup in franchise history during that time.

While the team have struggled for post-season success in the past few years, the consistency in the regular season has been incredible, with Cooper posting a record of 525-279-75 in that time, cementimg himself as one of the top coaches in the league.

However, his current contract runs until the end of 2025/26, and with the team struggling to advance beyond the first round every year since their Stanley Cup Finals defeat in 2022, his future is now up in the air.

Despite being the longest tenured coach in the NHL, according to Larry Brooks of the New York Post, it's likely that once his current contract in Tampa Bay is up, the 57-year old could head to Utah to coach the Utah Hockey Club.

It's unclear exactly why Cooper would target Utah as his next Head Coaching destination, but with a young core led by Dylan Guenther, Logan Cooley, Clayton Keller and others, it's easy to see why a young coach would be interested in the role.

For now though, he's focused on getting the Lightning out of their 3-1 hole against the Florida Panthers as well as the 2025/26 season, but once that's over, keep a very close eye on Cooper as we all wait to see what his future in the league holds.