Tampa Bay Lightning's Jon Cooper Hopes Connor McDavid Wins Stanley Cup
Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper, who has won two Stanley Cup championships with his team, has expressed his strong desire to see Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid finally lift the coveted trophy. Cooper, the longest-serving coach in the NHL, shared his admiration for McDavid's dedication and impact on the league.
Cooper's Admiration for McDavid's Drive and Talent
Jon Cooper spoke about his close observations of McDavid's relentless pursuit of excellence, particularly during their time together with Team Canada at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Cooper coached McDavid in Milan, where the Oilers star served as captain for Canada's final two games after Sidney Crosby was sidelined with a knee injury.
"Connor's got a special place in my heart. You meet these kids and you want to know as a coach if their personality and drive match the talent they show, and with Connor McDavid it does," Cooper said. "It sucked not winning the gold for all of us, but especially for Connor. The effort he put in for us, how he led..."
Cooper's Perspective on Stanley Cup Victories
While Cooper has experienced the thrill of winning two Stanley Cups with Tampa Bay, he acknowledged that McDavid—widely considered the greatest player in the game today—has yet to win his first championship. Crosby has three Cups, Cooper has two, and McDavid's Olympic linemate Nate MacKinnon has one with Colorado, but McDavid remains without the ultimate prize in his 11th NHL season.
"I've been extremely fortunate to be part of two Cup winners and if somebody else is going to win it, I want it to be guys you really like and respect and you see the time they've put into this league and made it a better league," Cooper explained. "Do I think Connor's one of those guys? I do."
The Challenge of Winning the Stanley Cup
Cooper reflected on the difficulty of capturing hockey's ultimate prize, noting that even legendary players have faced long waits before their first championship. He referenced Steve Yzerman, who waited 14 seasons before winning his first of three Stanley Cups with Detroit, and other greats like Mario Lemieux (seventh season) and Alex Ovechkin (14th season).
"Yeah, some of the all-time greats. The guy who hired me in Tampa, Steve Yzerman waited 13 years as a player, I think (actually 14), before winning, and Steve wound up winning a bunch (three). You just don't know," said Cooper.
Lightning Reunite with Corey Perry
While the Cooper-McDavid relationship story captured attention, Cooper also discussed Tampa Bay's reunion with veteran forward Corey Perry. The 40-year-old Perry, who previously spent two seasons with the Lightning, has returned to the team for another stint.
When asked why Tampa wanted Perry back, Cooper responded simply: "Who wouldn't want Corey Perry back?" Media members noted that the Oilers certainly miss Perry's presence, highlighting his value as a player who once had a brief but impactful tenure in Edmonton.
Cooper's comments come as he continues to lead the Lightning while maintaining respect and admiration for opponents like McDavid, whose quest for a Stanley Cup remains one of the most compelling stories in professional hockey.
