According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, reigning MVP Nikita Koucherov informed the Tampa Bay Lightning that he would not sign an extension with them. Additionally, Friedman reported that Kucherov requested a trade from the Lightning.
A few years after the first reports, Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois released a report that Tampa Bay had “unequivocally no intention” to move their superstar according to Friedman.
In a year full of commercial references, Kucherov’s stands out as the most shocking. The Russian winger is arguably the greatest player in the team’s history. Steven Stamkos as the franchise’s all-time leader.
Not only did Kucherov dominate on the scoresheet, but he also has an overflowing trophy case showcasing his professional achievements. Since his debut with the Lightning during the 2013-14 campaign, Kucherov has won two Stanley Cups, three Art Ross Trophies, two Ted Lindsay Awards and two Hart Memorial Trophies. During his 13-year career, Kucherov scored 405 goals and 1,139 points in 891 games.
However, his next extension negotiations were going to pose a problem. Despite signing for 11.6% of the salary cap in 2019, Kucherov’s $9.5 million salary was a bargain for the Bolts, and the legendary winger wants to finish his career with a big payday.
Make no secret of it, salary was going to be the sticking point. A few years ago, Tampa Bay signed another franchise player Victor Hedman to a four-year, $32 million extension ($8 million AAV) through the 2028-29 season. Hedman was 33 at the time, the same age as Kucherov is today.
It is likely that Kucherov is open to a four-year contract. However, and this is especially true this past offseason, salaries have started to skyrocket. Given that he has scored over 100 points in each of the last four seasons, Kucherov is reportedly looking for a salary to match his production. In mid-September, TSN’s Chris Johnston reported that Kucherov was seeking a salary of more than $20 million on his next contract.
Although it has not been confirmed, this is likely what caused negotiations between Kucherov and the Lightning to break down. As much as Tampa Bay would like to retain him, they don’t have the financial flexibility to inject an anchor contract into an aging veteran, no matter how talented he is.
Either way, it will make for some fascinating speculation. Unlike some other players who have recently requested a trade, Kucherov does not have similar trade protection in his contract, opening the door to a wide range of possibilities for the Lightning. Despite having a full no-move clause earlier in his eight-year contract worth $76 million, Kucherov can only block a trade with 21 teams, leaving 10 of them on the table.
Still, Tampa Bay finds itself in a strange situation. The Lightning are no closer to being rebuilt and are currently ranked third in points percentage. If and when they trade Kucherov, they will have to do their best to match value for value.
However, Kucherov is such a unicorn that it’s impossible to theorize what a trade would look like. Nearly every team in the league should call up the Bolts, but teams inclined to pursue him probably aren’t willing to part with one of their front-line wingers if they’re competing for a Cup.
Furthermore, as we saw with the Dylan Larkin situation with the Detroit Red Wings, just because a player requests a trade doesn’t mean a team will move him. Since it will be incredibly difficult to find a fair deal, the Lightning could simply keep Kucherov as their own playoff rental and allow him to pursue greener pastures next summer.
If anything, it’s become a theme for the Lightning organization. Other than Victor Hedman And Brayden PointTampa Bay’s best players have usually left the organization for one reason or another. In 2008, due to a salary crisis after signing Vincent Lecavalier to a huge 11-year contract, the Lightning traded Brad Richards to the Dallas Stars at the trade deadline.
After the new collective bargaining agreement was agreed to in 2013, Tampa Bay used one of its compliance buyouts to rid the team of Lecavalier’s contract. A few months later, another legend of the franchise, Martin Saint-Louisrequested a trade and was eventually dealt to the New York Rangers. Finally, a few summers ago, after demeaning Stamkos, he signed with the Nashville Predators as an unrestricted free agent.
Now, Kucherov is the latest franchise legend to continue his path out of Tampa Bay.
Photo courtesy of Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images.
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