- Lightning GM Julien BriseBois says the team has “no intention” of trading Nikita Kucherov
- The statement came hours after Kucherov asked for a trade and said he won’t re-sign
- Read below for where his contract and trade protection stand
The Lightning are not moving Nikita Kucherov, at least not according to their general manager.
Julien BriseBois responded Friday night to the reports that the reigning Hart Trophy winner asked to be traded, putting out a statement through the team that left little room for interpretation.
“We are aware of the media reports regarding the future of Nikita Kucherov with the Lightning,” BriseBois said. “We unequivocally have no intention of trading Nikita.”
That is the entire statement. BriseBois did not say whether Kucherov still plans to re-sign, and he did not address the trade request directly. The reaction came a few hours after Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman broke the news that Kucherov told the team he will not sign an extension and wants out:
As we reported earlier Friday, Kucherov made the request in a meeting with BriseBois and his agent, Dan Milstein, then told his teammates on the flight to Nashville. He is expected to keep playing for Tampa Bay while the situation plays out.
The contract picture matters here. Kucherov is 33 and in the final year of an eight-year, $76 million deal that carries a $9.5 million cap hit. He becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2027.
His contract also includes a modified no-trade clause. Reports say he can approve a move to 10 teams, so any deal would have to land on a list that has not been made public.
Kucherov has played like a player with nothing wrong. He has 15 points in 12 games, and last week he passed Steven Stamkos as the franchise’s all-time points leader. Tampa Bay entered Friday at 8-3-1.
Tampa Bay plays at Nashville on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET, the first game since the news broke.
