Hockey

Rumor: Jon Cooper at Utah HC
Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Rumor: Jon Cooper at Utah HC
Credit: Getty Images

The day the Lightning starts going downhill, it won't be pretty. There are big contracts out there…

With the Lightning on the brink of elimination, one has to wonder if Jon Cooper's future is still there, or if he'll want a change of scenery.

I don't see the Lightning firing him, for what it's worth. I'm more inclined to believe that if he were to leave, it would be his decision.

And because he only has one year left on his contract (it's rare to see a coach of such quality approach the end of his contract like this, let's face it) in Tampa Bay, questions arise.

But right now, questions are being asked.

Larry Brooks, on the subject, has just brought a very interesting element to the table. He says the fact that he's nearing the end of his contract is odd, and that a well-connected source has told him not to be surprised if he takes control of the Utah operation.

Ryan Smith, the owner, is a good friend.

Does “taking over the operation” mean being a head coach? Does it mean something bigger? It's hard to say at the moment, but let's put our money on the head coach position.

What would it mean for André Tourigny? I think we all know.

The Utah club, soon to be called the Mammoth, is counting on a good young emerging club – and on Mikhail Sergachev, whom Cooper knows very well from their years together in Tampa Bay.

Will Cooper soon leave Tampa to head up the Mammoth, moving Martin St-Louis up to third place on the list of coaches with the longest tenure with their current club?

At the moment, in addition to Tourigny and Cooper, Jared Bednar (who hasn't won in a few years in Denver) and Rod Brind'Amour are also ahead of him. If the stars align, the CH pilot could be second on the list in time to tell.

Note that if the Tampa Bay job opens up, Jeff Halpern could be a candidate. But the position would be highly coveted.


gossip

– With good reason.

– Who's going to the Worlds?

– Interesting.

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