Nikita Kucherov has asked the Tampa Bay Lightning to trade him, sources told ESPN on Friday night, October 30. The request comes as the 33-year-old forward approaches the end of his contract with the franchise where he has spent his entire NHL career. Sportsnet first reported the news Friday.
According to ESPN's sources, Kucherov told teammates about his decision aboard the team plane Friday. The Lightning are scheduled to play in Nashville on Saturday. His message to teammates followed a meeting Friday at which he said he wanted to continue playing with another team.
Contract negotiations between Tampa Bay and Kucherov's representatives were still far apart, sources told ESPN, leading to the Friday meeting. He is in the last season of an eight-year agreement worth $76 million, with an average annual value of $9.5 million. As the NHL salary cap rises, his next contract could bring a substantial increase, potentially exceeding twice that annual figure.
Kucherov has some control over the possible destination through a modified no-trade clause in his contract. That provision allows him to provide a list of 10 approved teams with which Tampa Bay can work on a deal. His agent, Dan Milstein, and Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois did not immediately answer ESPN's requests for comment.
The trade request follows years of shared success for Kucherov and the Lightning. He helped Tampa Bay win the Stanley Cup in both 2020 and 2021. His individual honors include three Art Ross Trophies, and he is the reigning recipient of the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player.
Tampa Bay enters its Saturday game with an 8-3-1 record and holds third place in the Atlantic Division. The Lightning won each of their first six home games this season. Kucherov has recorded four goals and 15 points over the team's opening 12 games.
The Russian-born winger also recently reached a franchise milestone, passing longtime teammate Steven Stamkos to take the top spot on Tampa Bay's career scoring list. All 14 years of Kucherov's NHL career have been spent with the Lightning, making his request a potential turning point in a lengthy association with the club.
