- Dan Milstein says things with the Lightning went “horribly wrong” and it’s “time to move on”
- Kucherov’s agent says he’s close with his teammates and coach Jon Cooper
- Read below for Milstein’s full comments and where the trade request stands
Nikita Kucherov’s agent says there’s no going back with the Lightning.
Dan Milstein spoke Wednesday on a podcast appearance with Jeff Marek and David Pagnotta, and he kept it respectful toward general manager Julien BriseBois while leaving little room for a reconciliation.
“Things went horribly wrong beyond the repair probably at this point in time, and it’s unfortunate but it’s at the conclusion of the season it’s time to move on,” Milstein said.
Milstein said he and BriseBois are on good terms after years of doing business together, but he pointed to this past summer as the problem.
“I can’t say anything bad about Julien,” Milstein said. “He’s done a very good job and he’s been very successful at his job for the Tampa Bay Lightning over the years. But looking back at this past summer, I wish that both him and I did things a little bit different. And I’ll just leave it at that, guys.”
He didn’t say what went wrong. That fits with what Kucherov told reporters Monday, when he said the trade request was about poor communication and respect, not money.
The timeline Milstein gave matters too. “At the conclusion of the season” points to July 1, when Kucherov can hit free agency. Pierre LeBrun already reported that Kucherov wants at least $20 million a year and won’t re-sign in Tampa.
Milstein also pushed back on the idea that Kucherov has checked out of the locker room. He said he’d call out anyone posting “negative derogatory comments that have absolutely no substance.”
“Nikita is very good friends with all of his teammates,” Milstein said. “Jon Cooper and Nikita Kucherov have a phenomenal relationship.”
Brandon Hagel said something similar earlier this week. He was asked about the trade request and made it clear nobody in the room sees it as Kucherov quitting on the team:
On the ice, Kucherov is still doing his job. Check out his first-period feed to Brayden Point from Tuesday night:
The market is the next question. One GM told LeBrun that 31 teams will want Kucherov, so the interest will be there whether he’s moved before the deadline or hits free agency in July.
