Kucherov on Contract Extension: ‘I’m Not Even Thinking About It’

Nikita Kucherov isn’t ready to talk about his next contract.

The Lightning star kept things short when reporters asked about an extension at Tampa Bay’s end-of-season media availability on Tuesday, less than 48 hours after the team’s Game 7 loss to Montreal capped a fourth straight first-round exit.

“You’re going to have to ask Julien,” Kucherov told reporters, including The Hockey News’ Diandra Loux. “I’m not even thinking about it.”

Kucherov has one year left on the eight-year, $76 million deal he signed with then-GM Steve Yzerman back in July of 2018. He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2026-27 season.

Here’s the full exit interview from the team’s official channel:

Regular-season production has never been the issue. Kucherov put up 130 points this year and was named a Ted Lindsay Award finalist alongside Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebrini. That came after 121 points last year and a career-high 144 the year before.

The playoffs have been a different story. He’s managed just two goals over his last 23 postseason games and is sitting at zero points across seven career Game 7s, including Saturday’s loss in Tampa.

Julien BriseBois made his stance clear at his own podium later in the day:

The Lightning GM said he “foresees him staying in our organization for a very long time,” which is about as strong an endorsement as a GM can give without literally pulling out a pen.

Kucherov was the engine behind back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021, leading the playoffs in scoring both years. He added 27 points in 23 games during the 2022 Final loss to Colorado, then watched things tail off as Tampa’s window started to crack.

It’s going to be a long summer in Tampa Bay. The 32-year-old’s deflection won’t do much to settle a fan base watching the postseason version of its franchise winger fade for a fourth year running.