NHL Star Nikita Kucherov Asks Lightning for Trade
The two-time league MVP is entering the final year of his contract and has requested a move from Tampa Bay.
By Emily Lawson ·
Nikita Kucherov is asking to leave the Tampa Bay Lightning.
According to Sportsnet, the 33-year-old winger has informed the team that he will not sign a contract extension. He has formally requested a trade. This decision comes as Kucherov enters the final year of a deal that pays him $9.5 million per season.
The move follows a season in which Kucherov recorded 44 goals and 86 assists. Those numbers earned him his second Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player. His underlying performance metrics were also strong. He posted a five-on-five goal differential of plus-38. His expected goals share reached 57.0 percent. He recently passed Steven Stamkos for the all-time franchise lead in points. Kucherov holds two Stanley Cup titles and two MVP awards.
The Lightning and the player appear to be far apart on next summer's salary. With the league cap rising rapidly, Kucherov expects a substantial raise. The gap in expectations led him to seek a change of scenery. He has a 10-team trade list, which limits the teams that can acquire him. This protection still leaves plenty of options for Tampa Bay to find a partner.
The Montreal Canadiens represent a strong financial fit. General Manager Kent Hughes has signed young players to affordable contracts. The team projects nearly $30 million in cap space for next season. They need help in their top two lines. Kucherov would join a power play unit that includes Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson, and Ivan Demidov. His coach would be Martin St. Louis, a former teammate from Tampa Bay.
The Minnesota Wild are another option. They are already linked to forward Dylan Larkin. General Manager Bill Guerin could redirect assets from that pursuit to Tampa Bay. Kucherov would likely line up with Kirill Kaprizov. The Wild face a risk because defenseman Quinn Hughes is also on an expiring contract. Acquiring Kucherov requires giving up premium assets while facing potential free agency losses next summer.
The Carolina Hurricanes have the cap space to make room for Kucherov. They hold three first-round picks in the next two drafts. Adding him would bolster a roster that already competes at a high level. The Utah Mammoth project over $25 million in cap space. They have no major pending free agents, allowing them to sign Kucherov to a long-term extension. He would play alongside Logan Cooley. The Dallas Stars could pursue a direct swap. They would send Jason Robertson to Tampa Bay. Robertson signed a one-year, $12 million deal this season. The Stars would get a veteran scorer, and the Lightning would get a younger wing.
The trade market remains open for these five teams. Each club has different assets and needs. Kucherov's request puts him on the block for the first time in his career. The next few weeks will determine if he wears a new jersey.
Source: CBS Sports
