The gregarious, talkative coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning provides more in-depth and candid responses to inquiries from the media than anyone else in his profession. And Cooper was in his customary conversational mood in an empty room at Canadian Tire Centre, across the hallway from the visiting coach’s office.
Perched on a stool, thinking back on his team’s ten-year history, Cooper skillfully outlined the Lightning’s development.
“I have witnessed our progression from being the newcomers to the block to the ones who are unstoppable,” Cooper remarked.
But Cooper found himself speechless when asked what name he would give the Lightning’s latest iteration.
He answered, “That’s a good question.”
Cooper pulled up another chair and spread his legs across it as he considered his response. After thinking for over ten seconds, he eventually responded, “Maybe now, we’re the kids that don’t want anybody to forget about them.”
Many people view the Lightning as an afterthought, a group of aging, Hall of Fame-bound superstars who are beginning to lose their dominance over the league. The Lightning, who once led this discussion a year ago, are frequently left off lists of elite clubs and Stanley Cup candidates. The Toronto Maple Leafs’ first-round playoff elimination from the previous season has managed to overshadow the team’s three straight Stanley Cup Final trips.
Cooper thinks he and his guys can make the most of that.
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