Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov laid blame at the feet of general manager Julien BriseBois on Monday in his first public comments since requesting a trade over the weekend.
Kucherov, the reigning Hart Trophy winner and franchise leader in points, told reporters that BriseBois drew a hard line early in negotiations and dared him to walk as an unrestricted free agent next summer.
“It was never about the money for me,” Kucherov said when asked why he made the request, which sent shockwaves through the NHL on Friday.
“It was more about poor communication and respect. The last four months, we’ve had two conversations. Julien made it clear that I’m free to walk on July 1.”
Shortly after Kucherov’s trade request became public, BriseBois said the Lightning weren’t interested in fulfilling the forward’s wishes.
“We are aware of the media reports regarding the future of Nikita Kucherov with the Lightning,” BriseBois said in a statement posted on X by the club. “We unequivocally have no intention of trading Nikita.”
Kucherov, one of the best players of his generation, is in the final season of an eight-year deal paying him $9.5 million per season. The Russian winger has a modified no-trade clause in his contract that includes a 10-team list of approved destinations.
BriseBois and the Lightning were under the microscope a few years ago after not coming to terms on an extension with then-captain Steven Stamkos, another aging franchise icon on an expiring contract. Stamkos went on to sign a four-year deal with the Nashville Predators in free agency.
Kucherov, 33, has accumulated 1,142 points in 892 NHL games, all for the Lightning. He’s won two league MVPs, three scoring titles, and two Stanley Cups.