I’ve covered countless hockey stories during my years reporting on Edmonton’s sports scene, but few narratives tug at the heartstrings quite like this one. Jon Cooper’s genuine admiration for Connor McDavid reveals something deeper than typical coaching platitudes.
The Tampa Bay Lightning bench boss sat down with reporters recently and opened up about his connection with Edmonton’s captain. Cooper has two Stanley Cup rings from his time in Tampa. He’s tasted championship glory twice. Yet he’s rooting hard for McDavid to finally experience that same euphoria.
Cooper coached McDavid during the recent 4Nations tournament in Milan. He watched up close as the Oilers captain wore the C for Team Canada during games when Sidney Crosby was sidelined with a knee injury. What he witnessed left a lasting impression on the veteran coach.
“Connor’s got a special place in my heart,” Cooper explained to media members. “You meet these kids and you want to know if their personality and drive match the talent they show.”
The answer with McDavid was abundantly clear. His work ethic matched his extraordinary skill level perfectly. Cooper saw it firsthand during those intense tournament games in Milan.
The tournament didn’t end with gold medals for Canada, which affected everyone in that dressing room. Cooper mentioned how especially hard the loss hit McDavid. The effort and leadership the Oilers captain displayed resonated deeply with his Olympic coach.
I’ve watched McDavid skate circles around opponents at Rogers Place for years now. His dedication to excellence never wavers. Cooper’s observations confirm what Edmonton fans already know in their bones.
The contrast between trophy cases tells a compelling story. Sidney Crosby has three Stanley Cup rings. Cooper has two. Nathan MacKinnon claimed one with Colorado. Yet the greatest player in today’s game remains without that ultimate prize.
McDavid is entering his eleventh NHL season still chasing that elusive championship. Cooper understands exactly how badly the Edmonton captain wants to hoist the Cup. Their recent time together at the 4Nations tournament deepened that understanding significantly.
Cooper recalled a conversation with Doug Weight, who won a Stanley Cup with Carolina after his Edmonton years. Weight told him something that stuck. When you win the Cup, you want it every single year. You don’t want anyone else celebrating with it.
“I’ve thought about that and he’s right,” Cooper admitted. “I’ve been extremely fortunate to be part of two Cup winners.”
But here’s where Cooper’s perspective shifts into something beautifully selfless. If someone else is going to win it, he wants players who truly deserve recognition. Guys who’ve dedicated themselves to making the league better through their efforts and character.
“Do I think Connor’s one of those guys?” Cooper asked rhetorically. “I do.”
Those simple words carry significant weight coming from a coach of Cooper’s caliber. He’s seen the best players in the world compete at the highest levels. His endorsement of McDavid goes beyond acknowledging pure talent.
Saturday’s game between Tampa and Edmonton brought Cooper face-to-face with the player he’s cheering for. The irony wasn’t lost on anyone. Cooper wants another Cup for Tampa. But failing that, he genuinely hopes McDavid gets his moment.
The Lightning-Oilers matchup also featured another heart-warming reunion story. Corey Perry returned to Tampa after leaving the organization. The 40-year-old veteran played for Edmonton last season before moving to Los Angeles.
Perry delivered an incredible performance during his Oilers tenure. He scored 19 goals in 81 regular season games. Then he added 10 more goals across 20 playoff games. Edmonton fans certainly remember his contributions fondly.
Los Angeles signed Perry to a $2 million base salary with significant bonus opportunities. Another $2 million was available through games played and playoff advancement. He could’ve earned an additional $500,000 if the Kings reached the Western Conference third round.
Tampa acquired Perry mid-season, inheriting his entire contract and bonus structure. Cooper couldn’t hide his excitement about bringing the veteran back. Perry ranks as the second oldest player in the NHL behind Colorado’s Brent Burns.
“Who wouldn’t want Corey Perry back?” Cooper responded when asked about the acquisition. “It was a no-brainer getting him back with us.”
Perry has played 1,446 regular season games and 237 playoff contests. Only Chris Chelios and Nick Lidstrom have appeared in more playoff games throughout NHL history. That experience brings invaluable stability to Tampa’s lineup.
Cooper noted how teams consistently go deep in the playoffs when Perry joins their roster. His presence elevates everyone around him. The new guys on Tampa’s team benefit enormously from his veteran wisdom.
Perry scored during his fourth shift in his first game back with Tampa. He found the net again the following night. Cooper beamed when discussing how popular Perry has become in the dressing room.
Saturday’s late-night game offered another compelling subplot beyond Cooper’s McDavid admiration. The scoring race between McDavid and Nikita Kucherov added extra intrigue. They entered separated by just a single point in the league standings.
Kucherov rarely speaks to media members, even those covering Tampa regularly. His play does all his talking for him. Cooper marveled at the contrast between the two superstars chasing the scoring title.
“You’ve got the two leaders one point apart and they couldn’t be more different,” Cooper observed. “Yet they get the same things done.”
Both players represent the absolute pinnacle of hockey excellence. Cooper called them two of the best to ever play the game. Watching them compete head-to-head creates must-see television for hockey fans.
Cooper’s Olympic coaching experience brought another fascinating dynamic into focus. He coached three Florida Panthers players on Team Canada: Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Sam Reinhart. The Lightning and Panthers share one of the NHL’s most heated rivalries.
How did that work with such bad blood between the franchises?
“There’s something to what the flag does,” Cooper laughed while explaining. Country loyalty transcends club rivalries completely. Reinhart, Bennett, and Marchand all earned Cooper’s respect regardless of their NHL affiliations.
Marchand told Cooper a couple games into the tournament that nothing compared to the Tampa-Florida rivalry. He’d played in Boston for years and experienced countless heated matchups. Yet the Lightning-Panthers feud stood alone in its intensity.
Cooper couldn’t argue with that assessment. The rivalry has defined both teams for several seasons now. Florida adopted a physical, bullying style that brought them three consecutive Finals appearances.
This season brought noticeable changes to the rivalry dynamic. Tampa added tougher players during the offseason. They’ve pushed back hard against Florida’s physical approach starting in exhibition games.
“We can beat teams in lots of different ways,” Cooper explained. “It’s not just stick-handling and passing and shooting on the net.”
The mentality shift reflects how championships get won in today’s NHL. Skill alone isn’t sufficient. Teams need grit and toughness to survive playoff battles.
An interesting social media post caught attention over the weekend. Leon Draisaitl appeared at a Bayern Munich soccer match. The injured Oilers center visited the Bayern dressing room to chat with players.
Draisaitl is recovering from a knee injury that will sideline him until the regular season ends. Edmonton’s Alphonso Davies currently deals with his own hamstring problem for Bayern. The two athletes share German connections that make these interactions meaningful.
Sitting in my office reviewing Cooper’s comments, I’m struck by the authenticity in his words. This isn’t manufactured praise designed to generate headlines. He genuinely respects McDavid’s journey and hopes it culminates in championship glory.
Edmonton fans have watched McDavid carry this franchise for a decade now. We’ve witnessed his supernatural abilities on the ice game after game. Cooper’s perspective from outside our market validates what we’ve known all along.
McDavid deserves his Stanley Cup moment. Whether it comes this season or another year remains uncertain. But when it finally happens, expect Jon Cooper to celebrate alongside Edmonton fans.
The hockey world recognizes greatness when it sees it. Cooper’s willingness to root for a rival’s success speaks volumes about McDavid’s character and impact. That means something special in this league.
