Lightning coach Jon Cooper says Golden Knights aren’t Cinderella

The Tampa Bay Lightning could face the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Finals, but coach Jon Cooper isn’t preparing for a Cinderella story.

In Cooper’s mind, the Golden Knights aren’t a Cinderella story — simply the product of a lot of smart people who were allowed to do their jobs.

“It’s a success story is what it is. It’s not a Cinderella story,” Cooper said, via Greg Wyshynski of ESPN. “There’s been talk of ‘how could that happen’ or whatever. I’ll tell you how it happened: They got an owner that hired an unreal GM and they got an unreal GM that hired an unreal coach. They were all left to do their jobs. They were given a framework to work with. They could’ve screwed it up or they could’ve done really well, and they chose to do really well. They played within the rules that were given to them, and this is what you get.

“I know the gentlemen well that are involved, the GM and coach, and I couldn’t be prouder of the guys of the job they’ve done. They deserved to get there, and I only hope we’re the team they get to play.”

The Golden Knights have another name for themselves, but it doesn’t sound like their foes are buying the Cinderella narrative anymore. Still, they tick all the boxes, and whoever they play in the Stanley Cup Finals, they will have their respect.