Nikita Kucherov has been the centerpiece of the Tampa Bay Lightning since his debut as a 20-year-old in the 2013-14 season.
But the 13-year veteran’s time in Tampa Bay may be coming to an end, as multiple outlets reported on Friday that Kucherov has requested a trade.
The two-time and reigning Hart Memorial Trophy winner informed his teammates of his decision on the team’s flight to Nashville, reports said. The Lightning play the Predators on Saturday.
Neither Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois nor Dan Milstein, Kucherov’s agent, elected to comment on the stunning development.
Kucherov, 33, is in the final year of an eight-year, $76 million contract and will likely be seeking a huge pay increase. The respective camps are reportedly not near an agreement, leading to the Russian winger’s request.
Kucherov has a modified no-trade clause which allows him to submit a 10-team list to the Lightning to work out a trade.
In 891 career games, Kucherov has scored 405 goals and added 734 assists for 1,139 points. He passed longtime teammate and current Predator Steven Stamkos as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer just this week.
He won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer in 2018-19 (128 points), 2023-24 (career-high 144 points) and 2024-25 (121 points).
Kucherov amassed 66 points across the 2020 and 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs as the Lightning captured back-to-back occasions. He has 177 points (54 goals, 123 assists) in 159 playoff games.