- Elliotte Friedman says Nikita Kucherov would consider a trade to the Maple Leafs or Canadiens
- The Lightning still have “no intention” of moving him and he holds a 10-team no-trade clause
- Read below for Friedman’s comments on the contract talks and the price tag
Nikita Kucherov would consider playing in Toronto or Montreal.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said Saturday on Saturday Headlines that the Maple Leafs and Canadiens are two teams the Lightning star would look at if Tampa Bay ever decides to move him.
Friedman explained that it comes down to what the Lightning would get back.
“I do believe that, if Tampa was going to trade him, and Montreal and Toronto could come up with a package that Tampa would like, those are two teams among many he would consider,” Friedman said.
Check out our post on the report:
Kucherov carries a 10-team no-trade clause, so the list of teams he would approve is short. Friedman called Toronto and Montreal two teams “among many,” which leaves plenty of room for other suitors. Tampa Bay general manager Julien BriseBois already said the Lightning have “no intention” of trading Kucherov.
Friedman also talked about why this got to the point of a trade request. He opened the show by describing how slowly the contract talks moved.
“The lack of pace that he felt in the negotiations is a major reason why he told his teammates and the organization that he wouldn’t re-sign and wanted to be traded,” Friedman said.
Watch Friedman open the show with the latest:
Money is the other piece. The Athletic’s Chris Johnston reported that Kucherov is seeking a six-year deal at $20 million per season, which we broke down when the contract offer story surfaced. Very few teams could fit that number, and the Maple Leafs and Canadiens would both have to clear space.
The 33-year-old is still playing. Kucherov had three assists in a shootout loss to the Predators on Saturday and has four goals and 18 points in 13 games. His $9.5 million cap hit expires in July, when he is set to hit unrestricted free agency.
His agent, Dan Milstein, has said Kucherov will play through the trade request, so the Lightning get his production while the market sorts itself out.
