NHL News

3 Reasons Berube Thinks Cooper is a Great NHL Coach

When Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube was ask about John Cooper, his opponent tonight, he was lavish in his praise. What did he say?

by
Old Prof
January 20, 2025

In an interview this morning before tonight’s game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto’s head coach, Craig Berube, was asked what he thought of his upcoming opponent. He was lavish in his praise of the coach across the ice. In short, he shared why he believed Cooper – who has been at his job with the Florida-based team for almost a dozen seasons – was such a great NHL coach.

Cooper doesn’t seem to be slowing down, and here’s why. According to Berube, these three abilities make Cooper one of the best coaches in the NHL.

Cooper Has Mental Toughness and Knows How to Motivate

Berube spoke to Cooper’s exceptional management style. He believes Cooper is fantastic at handling the mental side of the game. He keeps his players engaged, motivated, and focused throughout the long NHL season. For Berube, that’s critical for a team’s success and is a skill that is vital for any coach aiming for sustained success.

Cooper Is Adaptable Without Losing His Core Identity

Berube believes Cooper regularly makes minor adjustments that help make his team successful. He makes subtle changes to his coaching style each season. This offers his team a fresh approach.

These tweaks also inject new life into the team while keeping the core principles intact. Berube hinted that consistency is a key to Cooper’s success. He can evolve yet maintain a strong foundation. These attributes contribute to the Lightning’s continued dominance.

Cooper Builds Strong Relationships with Players

Cooper excels at building connections and forming and maintaining strong relationships with his players. He has a genuine understanding of the game and can relate this understanding to his team. This ability fosters a cohesive and motivated group.

Berube believes Cooper’s long-term success has been built on strong player relationships and winning. These two ingredients (especially the winning part) are essential for a coach’s longevity and effectiveness.

The Bottom Line: Why Cooper’s Approach Works

Berube’s insights highlight Cooper’s strengths: his mental approach, adaptability, and success at building solid relationships with players. With these qualities, Cooper continues leading the Lightning as one of the top teams in the league.

Berube believes that the answer is simple. The main reason Cooper is so good is simply that his team wins. And if Cooper keeps evolving and engaging his players, the Lightning will remain a winning team for at least a few more seasons.