Lightning star Nikita Kucherov requests trade, team says it will not move him
The reigning MVP has told Tampa Bay he will not re-sign, ending a long tenure that included two Stanley Cups and a record of 1,139 points.
By Kwame Silva ·
Nikita Kucherov told the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday that he will not re-sign with the club and asked to be traded.
A person with knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press the talks are private. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because the negotiations have not yet been made public.
General Manager Julien BriseBois confirmed the reports in a statement. He said the organization is aware of the media coverage regarding Kucherov's future. BriseBois stated that the team unequivocally has no intention of trading the player.
Kucherov is an unrestricted free agent after this season. He is completing the final year of an eight-year, $76 million contract signed in 2018. During that time, he helped Tampa Bay win two Stanley Cups and led the league in scoring three times. He received the Hart Trophy for MVP in 2018-19 and again in 2025-26.
The 33-year-old Russian winger has recorded 1,139 points in 891 regular-season games since his 2013 debut. That total ranks third in the league over that period, behind only Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. His 177 playoff points are the highest in that same span. Kucherov passed Steven Stamkos to become the franchise's career points leader last weekend.
BriseBois praised the player at the training camp opening last month. He called Kucherov a historically great player and possibly the best in the world right now. In mid-September, BriseBois said the goal was to sign Kucherov to a long-term deal. He noted that he and agent Dan Milstein would keep communication open to find a resolution.
BriseBois said he believes Kucherov will remain an elite player well into his 30s. He added that both parties would have preferred to finalize a deal sooner but have not been able to do so. Kucherov now joins a list of high-profile stars asking for trades this season, including Brady Tkachuk and Connor Hellebuyck. The Lightning have made the playoffs 12 times in 13 seasons but have lost in the first round for four straight years.
