Tampa Bay Lightning Fire Head Coach
Guy Boucher, the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, was let go early on Sunday morning. According to Lightning.NHL.com, the official Lightning release:
Yzerman made the announcement and added, “Guy has poured his heart and soul into the Lightning organization for these past three years and we appreciate all the work he has done.” “But ultimately I am not satisfied with the direction we are heading and I believe making a change today is in the best interest of our franchise.”
This choice was made just hours after the Ottawa Senators defeated the team 5-3. Tampa Bay fell behind 4-0 in back-to-back games before eventually managing to put some goals together to make the final score appear closer than it actually was.
The Lightning are currently traveling to Canada for three games, so this is an interesting moment to fire someone. Tampa Bay takes on Winnipeg, the top team in the Southeast Division, today after falling to Ottawa yesterday.
Dan Lacroix and Martin Raymond will be the team’s leaders when they play Winnipeg. The league will continue to receive responses. The NHL may experience repercussions from this ruling, particularly in light of the impending trade deadline.
Former Sabres coach Lindy Ruff and Lightning AHL affiliate head coach Jon Cooper are mentioned by Tampa Bay Times columnist Damian Cristodero as potential replacements. “AHL Syracuse coach Jon Cooper also could be a consideration,” Cristodero writes, “though it might be a stretch to believe Yzerman would go with another coach who hasn’t been proven in the NHL.”
For the Lightning moving forward, there is an intriguing dynamic to take into account. Cooper might not be with the Tampa Bay organization for very long if they don’t give him more recognition. His accomplishments in the AHL should soon lead to a promotion to the NHL.
Before he was let go in Buffalo, Ruff held the record for the longest tenure of any NHL coach. Even though he is an experienced player, how would the Lightning’s young players react to him?
Under Boucher, a large number of this season’s AHL call-ups have excelled. Would Ruff make a similar impact? Since Cooper was the one who guided them to the NHL, we are certain that he would.
How will the Lightning react to losing their coach on Sunday night at 7 p.m. ET versus Winnipeg? They have very little time to catch up since they are only five points outside of the playoffs.
