Nikita Kucherov trade request from Lightning: What we know - USA Today

Trade requests have dominated the first month of the NHL season and Friday night news emerged regarding the biggest yet: the reigning NHL MVP wants out of Tampa.

Lightning superstar forward Nikita Kucherov, the two-time Hart Trophy winner and three-time scoring champ, has requested a trade, according to multiple reports.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman was the first to report the news.

Kucherov "informed both his teammates and the Lightning organization that he will not be re-signing with Tampa Bay and would like to be traded," Friedman reported, citing multiple sources.

Whether a trade ever comes remains to be seen. In a statement released Friday night, Lightning GM Julien BriseBois said the Bolts "unequivocally have no intention of trading Nikita."

It appears a standoff may be setting in.

"We are aware of the media reports regarding the future of Nikita Kucherov with the Lightning. We unequivocally have no intention of trading Nikita."

Friedman reported the "exact reasons" for Kucherov wanting out now are "unclear."

Kucherov is in the last year of his contract, though, and set to be an unrestricted free agent after the season. ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported that Kucherov and the Lightning "remained far apart" in negotiations and that led to Friday's meeting where Kucherov asked out.

Per The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun, Kucherov and his agent asked for the trade in a meeting with BriseBois on Friday. Kucherov told teammates about his request on the team plane, LeBrun said.

The Lightning historically have not been afraid to watch star players walk, most recently seeing longtime captain Steven Stamkos leave for Nashville in 2024. Though Kucherov is the franchise's all-time leading scorer − recently passing Stamkos − he will be 34 years old when his contract expires this summer.

Based on BriseBois' statement, and the fact the Lightning are off to an 8-3-1 start this year, it won't be shocking if the two sides see the season through.

While the Lightning have remained a perennial playoff contender since winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021 (and reaching the 2022 Final), they have exited in the first round four straight years.

Kucherov is in the final year of an eight-year, $76 million contract. He's been worth every penny. In a rising cap world, his contract is now even an outright bargain at $9.5 million per year.

Per Kaplan's reporting, it appears Kucherov is looking to cash in. Could he soon be one of the highest-paid players in the sport? Colorado's Cale Makar will lead the way beginning next season at over $20 million per year. The highest-paid forward next season will be the Sharks' Macklin Celebrini at $18.8 million.

It won't be a surprise to see Kucherov come in at over $15 million a year. At least.

Kucherov continues to produce, with four goals and 11 assists for 15 points in 12 games.

For his career, Kucherov has 405 goals and 734 assists for 1,139 points in 891 games. He won the Hart Trophy, given to the NHL MVP, in 2018-19 and 2025-26. He's been the NHL's leading scorer three times (2018-19, 2023-24, 2024-25).

He was the Lightning's leading scorer in the playoffs both years they lifted the Stanley Cup this decade.

If a deal somehow comes to fruition, will it be a rental or will a trade come with an extension? It will be interesting to monitor, but basically every contender would love to add a player like Kucherov.

His deal will be hard to move but not impossible. The Russian winger also has some say to where he might land.

According to multiple reports, Kucherov has a modified no-trade clause. He can be traded to only his 10 preferred teams. Those figure to be some of the top squads in the league. Kaplan wrote she believes "Kucherov has his eyes set on playing with another one of the league's top superstars and has a few players/teams in mind."

LeBrun reported he was told "Kucherov plans to keep playing for the Lightning while this situation plays out."

That stands in contrast to the approach of fellow stars Connor Hellebuyck, who eventually was traded by Winnipeg to the New Jersey Devils, and Dylan Larkin, who has been suspended by the Red Wings.

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