Lightning teammates address Nikita Kucherov trade request: 'Tough day' - USA Today
Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov did his part in his first game after telling his teammates he had requested a trade from the team he led to two championships.
The NHL's reigning MVP set up the first three Lightning goals for a 3-2 lead against the Nashville Predators on Saturday, Oct. 31. Nashville, however, rallied to win the game 5-4 in a shootout.
"He's going to play hard and we can't look into the future," teammate Brayden Point told reporters. "Right now, he's a Bolt."
Connor Hellebuyck sat out before his trade to the New Jersey Devils, and Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin did the same on Oct. 29 after getting frustrated with the lack of progress on his trade request. But Kucherov plans to keep playing.
When NHL insider Pierre LeBrun wondered on social media whether Kucherov eventually would sit out to pressure the team, agent Dan Milstein replied, "Unlikely."
Kucherov is the final year of a contract that has a $9.5 million cap hit. After some negotiations for an extension, the Lightning were informed that he wouldn't re-sign with the team and wanted to be traded. According to puckpedia.com, he has a modified trade clause in which he submits 10 teams.
General manager Julien BriseBois said in a statement on Oct. 30 that the Lightning "unequivocally" have no intention to trade the franchise's all-time leading scorer.
Lightning captain Victor Hedman: "It was a tough day."
Point: "That's his business. He's my teammate. He's my friend. That's how I'll treat him."
Lightning defenseman John Carlson: "I think it was surprising to everyone."
He added that the trade request wasn't a distraction.
"Once you get on the ice, there's only so many things you can worry about," he said. "I think we're focused on what I can do on the ice."
Lightning coach Jon Cooper on Kucherov's night: βHe's a proud Bolt and he came in tonight to help us win a hockey game as heβs done his whole career here and he gave us a hell of a chance. It's too bad we couldn't pull that one out."
Kucherov did not talk to media after the game.
Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman said he believes that Larkin's camp could make revisions to his current 10-team trade list.
His list, according to reports, are the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning, Colorado Avalanche, Utah Mammoth, Washington Capitals, Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes.
