Long-Shot Bruins Coaching Candidate Staying With Division Rival

If the Bruins had any interest in potentially hiring Jon Cooper — or just wanted to see him out of the Atlantic Division — Friday was not a good day.

There wasn’t really much substantive reporting about Cooper’s future with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but there was some speculation as to whether the two-time Stanley Cup champion might be done with the Bolts after losing in the first round to the Panthers. General manager Julien BriseBois quickly ended that speculation Friday, announcing Cooper would be back next season.

The Lightning and Cooper will at some point need to figure out the long-term plan, though. The 57-year-old has one year left on his contract.

Had Cooper and the Lightning parted ways, he would have been a logical option for the Bruins to target. The B’s have had an up-close look at Cooper in the division since he took over in 2013. Tampa Bay has been a playoff mainstay in that time, with back-to-back Cup wins in 2020 and 2021. He’s deservedly considered one of the best coaches in the NHL.

Cooper also has worked with Bruins general manager Don Sweeney. The two helped lead Canada to the 4 Nations Face-Off championship this season and will continue that business relationship moving forward, with Cooper already tabbed as Canada’s bench boss for the 2026 Olympics, where Sweeney will be an assistant GM.

Cooper wasn’t the only potential candidate who came off the board Friday. Longtime Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan wasn’t on the market for long, signing a deal with the New York Rangers to be their new head coach.