With Jeff Blashill tasked with taking over the rebuild in Chicago, the Tampa Bay Lightning had an open spot on their coaching staff. On Friday, the same day former coach Derek Lalonde joined the Anaheim Ducks staff, the Bolts announced that Dan Hinote would be joining Jon Cooper’s staff in Tampa. The 48-year-old is back in the NHL after a year in the AHL with the Colorado Eagles.
After a nine-year playing career with Colorado and St. Louis, the Leesburg, FL-born Hinote entered the coaching ranks with Columbus in 2011. He was behind the bench for four seasons before transitioning to the scouting department for the Blue Jackets.