The Tampa Bay Lightning are coming off a respectable run in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Tampa Bay lost their first-round series 4-1 to a talented Florida Panthers squad. However, head coach Jon Cooper made some bold comments after Tampa Bay's goalies had a rough night in their Game 5 defeat.

While the Lightning fought hard, their series loss to the Panthers marked the second consecutive season they exited the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the first round. Tampa Bay had two goals disallowed for goalies interference in the first two periods of their 6-1 Game 5 loss. As a result, Jon Cooper boldly questioned the interpretation of the goalie rules after the game.

“Net-front battles aren’t allowed anymore? That’s part of everybody’s game. The boxing-out that goes there, it’s like prison rules in the playoffs, but it’s not prison rules for the goalie? The second something happens…we might as well put skirts on them then, if that’s how it’s gonna be. They have to battle through stuff, too,” Cooper said via The Athletic.

The Lightning coach is now apologizing for his comments.

“As you know, we had a pretty disappointing series loss the other night and I made an inappropriate analogy about goalies in skirts. That is one of those moments, if you could just reach back and grab the words back, I would have. As a father of two and a massive supporter of women’s hockey and girls who play sports, quite frankly, it was wrong,” Cooper said, per Joe Smith.

“I got to go explain myself to my girls. Anyway, I sincerely apologize to all I offended. It has pained me more than the actual series loss itself,” Cooper added.

Cooper now turns his attention to helping the Lightning improve during the 2024 offseason.

How will the Lightning move forward after their 2024 playoff exit?

Tampa Bay finished the 2023-24 regular season with 98 points, which placed them fourth in the Atlantic Division. The division will not get any easier with the presence of the Panthers, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Yet, the Lightning have options for future improvements.

One of the biggest questions going into the offseason surrounds center Steve Stamkos. The veteran is in a position to re-sign with Tampa Bay or depart to another team. Nevertheless, general manager Julien BriseBois said he was “very hopeful” to get him signed. He reiterated that the team wanted him to continue being a part of the franchise and briefly talked with Stamkos' agent after the season.

“I briefly met with Stammer when we landed after Game 5,” BriseBois said, via Joe Smith of The Athletic. “I spoke with his agent yesterday…it is obviously a priority to see if we can get this done.”

Despite being 34 years old, Stamkos was a valuable player for the Lightning in 2023-24. He amassed 40 goals with 41 assists for 81 points in 79 games. Stamkos has been with the Lightning for 16 years. It would be weird to see him play for another club.

Hopefully, Stamkos and Tampa Bay can get a deal done. In addition, the team looks to bolster the depth of their roster in hopes of an improved showing for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.