Kucherov tells Lightning he won't re-sign and seeks trade

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 23:57 · Archive

Reigning NHL MVP Nikita Kucherov has told Tampa Bay he will not re-sign and has requested a trade.

Nikita Kucherov, the reigning NHL MVP, has informed Tampa Bay Lightning he will not re-sign with the team and has requested a trade. The 33-year-old Russian winger is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, the last year of an eight-year, $76 million contract signed in 2018.

Kucherov has been one of the NHL's most accomplished players during his tenure with the Lightning. He has won the Hart Trophy twice, in 2018-19 and 2025-26, and helped the team win two Stanley Cups. He holds 1,139 regular-season points in 891 games since debuting in 2013, third among all players over that span behind Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. He has also recorded 177 playoff points, the most during that period.

The winger became Tampa Bay's franchise career points leader last weekend, surpassing former captain Steven Stamkos. General manager Julien BriseBois recently described him as 'one of the best players ever'. Kucherov has four goals and 11 assists for 15 points through 12 games this season, second on the team.

How it is being reported

• Nikita Kucherov tells Lightning he won't re-sign and asks for a trade, AP source saysReigning NHL MVP Nikita Kucherov informed the Tampa Bay Lightning he is not re-signing with the team and has asked for a trade, a person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press.Clickorlando · 30 Oct, 23:06
• Nikita Kucherov tells Lightning he won't re-sign and asks for a trade, AP source saysReigning NHL MVP Nikita Kucherov has informed the Tampa Bay Lightning he is not re-signing with them and asked them for a trade, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.News4Jax · 30 Oct, 23:06

In this story: Nikita Kucherov · Tampa Bay Lightning · Connor McDavid · Nathan MacKinnon · Steven Stamkos · Julien BriseBois

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