Well, here’s a Friday-afternoon whopper:
According to multiple sources, Nikita Kucherov has informed both his teammates and the Lightning organization that he will not be re-signing with Tampa Bay and would like to be traded.
The exact reasons are unclear at this point, but Kucherov — the NHL’s reigning MVP — is in the final season of an eight-year, $76-million contract. Last week, he passed Steven Stamkos as the leading scorer in franchise history.
Lightning GM Julien BriseBois released a statement later on Friday night.
"We are aware of the media reports regarding the future of Nikita Kucherov with the Lightning," the statement from Brisebois reads. "We unequivocally have no intention of trading Nikita."
Dan Milstein, Kucherov’s agent, declined to comment.
For most of us, Kucherov staying in Tampa seemed like an absolute certainty. Obviously, we were wrong about that. Who knows where we go by the trade deadline and July 1, but Kucherov has made it clear he is not happy and, at this time, prefers another path.
More as this story develops.
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