Report: Reigning NHL MVP Kucherov Seeks Trade From Lightning

WHO:

NHL.com - Nikita Kucherov is 33 years old and has played all 13 of his NHL seasons with Tampa Bay.

Pro Hockey Rumors - The article identifies Kucherov as a Russian winger.

Pro Hockey Rumors - Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said the team had “unequivocally no intention” of moving Kucherov.

Pro Hockey Rumors - Kucherov recently passed Steven Stamkos as Tampa Bay’s all-time points leader.

Fox News - Nikita Kucherov is the Tampa Bay Lightning player identified as the NHL’s reigning MVP.

NY Post - Nikita Kucherov is identified as the reigning MVP and as one of several “disillusioned NHL stars.”

IJR - Nikita Kucherov, the Lightning, and reporter Elliotte Friedman are named; Friedman reported the trade request, citing multiple sources.

WHAT:

NHL.com - Kucherov has 1,139 points, comprising 405 goals and 734 assists, in 891 NHL games.

NHL.com - Kucherov helped Tampa Bay win the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021.

NHL.com - Kucherov’s active 100-point-season streak is tied for second-longest in the NHL with Connor McDavid’s six-season streak.

Pro Hockey Rumors - Tampa Bay’s earlier full no-movement clause was narrowed; Kucherov can now block trades to 21 teams, leaving 10 teams available as trade destinations.

Pro Hockey Rumors - The article says Tampa Bay’s top players, aside from Victor Hedman and Brayden Point, have often left the organization. Examples include Brad Richards, traded to Dallas in 2008; Vincent Lecavalier, whose contract the Lightning bought out; Martin St. Louis, traded to the New York Rangers after requesting a trade; and Steven Stamkos, who signed with Nashville as an unrestricted free agent.

NHL.com - Kucherov has 15 points—four goals and 11 assists—in 12 games this season; Tampa Bay’s record is 8-3-1.

NHL.com - Kucherov has 177 points—54 goals and 123 assists—in 159 Stanley Cup playoff games.

NHL.com - Kucherov had 130 points—44 goals and 86 assists—in 76 games last season, ranking second in the NHL.

NHL.com - Kucherov recorded 100 assists in the 2023-24 season, becoming one of five players to reach 100 assists in a season.

NHL.com - Tampa Bay was eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens in seven games in last season’s Eastern Conference First Round and has not won a playoff series since defeating the New York Rangers in the 2022 Eastern Conference Final.

Pro Hockey Rumors - Kucherov scored 100 or more points in each of the four seasons before the article.

Pro Hockey Rumors - Tampa Bay was ranked third in points percentage.

Pro Hockey Rumors - Kucherov’s $9.5 million salary equaled 11.6% of the salary cap when he signed in 2019.

Pro Hockey Rumors - Victor Hedman signed a four-year, $32 million extension with an $8 million average annual value, covering the 2028-29 season.

Pro Hockey Rumors - Kucherov’s contract is an eight-year, $76 million deal; his trade protection allows him to block trades to 21 teams, leaving 10 teams as possible destinations.

Pro Hockey Rumors - Since his Lightning debut, Kucherov has won two Stanley Cups, three Art Ross Trophies, two Ted Lindsay Awards, and two Hart Memorial Trophies. He has recorded 405 goals and 1,139 points in 891 games.

Pro Hockey Rumors - Kucherov’s contract is worth $9.5 million; his next contract negotiations were expected to be a sticking point.

Pro Hockey Rumors - Kucherov can block trades to 21 teams, leaving 10 teams eligible to acquire him.

Fox News - Kucherov reportedly asked the Tampa Bay Lightning to trade him.

Fox News - Kucherov reportedly told teammates he will not re-sign after this season.

NY Post - The article described Kucherov’s trade request as the latest NHL twist.

IJR - Kucherov reportedly informed teammates and the Lightning that he will not re-sign and wants a trade.

WHERE:

Fox News - The trade request concerns the Tampa Bay Lightning.

IJR - Kucherov reportedly communicated his decision to teammates and the Lightning.

WHEN:

NHL.com - Kucherov signed his eight-year, $76 million contract on July 10, 2018.

NHL.com - BriseBois said on Sept. 16 that both sides would prefer to complete a deal but had not been able to do so.

NHL.com - Kucherov became eligible to sign a new deal July 1 and can become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

WHY:

Pro Hockey Rumors - The article says Tampa Bay traded Brad Richards after a salary crunch following Lecavalier’s 11-year contract and used a compliance buyout to remove Lecavalier’s contract after the 2013 collective bargaining agreement.

Pro Hockey Rumors - The article said Tampa Bay lacked the financial flexibility to add a large contract for an aging veteran.

Pro Hockey Rumors - TSN’s Chris Johnston reported that Kucherov was seeking a salary of more than $20 million on his next contract. Pro Hockey Rumors said salary likely contributed to negotiations breaking down.

NY Post - The article characterized Kucherov among “disillusioned NHL stars”; it did not provide a specific reason for his reported trade request or decision not to re-sign.

HOW:

NHL.com - Kucherov joined Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Connor McDavid as the fifth player to record 100 assists in a season.

NHL.com - Julien BriseBois said he remained in contact with Kucherov’s agent, with the goal of signing Kucherov to a contract that would keep him in Tampa Bay for many years.

Pro Hockey Rumors - The article said Tampa Bay could keep Kucherov as a playoff rental and let him pursue another team the following summer if it could not find an equitable trade.

Pro Hockey Rumors - Kucherov’s eight-year, $76 million contract gives him trade protection against 21 teams.

IJR - Elliotte Friedman reported the trade request, citing multiple sources.

Nikita Kucherov reportedly wants out of Tampa Bay, despite the Lightning’s firm refusal to trade him. The reigning MVP has told teammates he won’t re-sign, and seeks a trade. Contract talks may be difficult: reports say he wants more than twenty million dollars annually.