Insider Asks If Kucherov Could Become Trade Candidate This Summer

Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov

It was a disappointing finish to the season for the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team many pundits around the sport predicted to come out of the Eastern Conference. Instead, a frustrating 2-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7 of the first round (despite outshooting them 29-9) has left many questions facing the Bolts as they head into the offseason.

Perhaps one question we didn't see coming, though, comes to us from insider Pierre LeBrun, who asks in The Athletic, if the Hart Trophy contender Nikita Kucherov could be on the trade block this summer.

The thing is, it’s four years in a row out in the first round. That will chew at a smart and competitive GM such as Julien BriseBois. He’s in the winning championships business, not the make-the-playoffs business.
Which brings us to a wild thought: Would BriseBois consider moving Kucherov?
Kucherov had his moments in this series, but he was held pointless in the last three games and overall, his frustration showed throughout. That wasn’t Hart Trophy Kucherov in this series.

After three outstanding postseasons (and two Stanley Cups) from 2020 through 2022, in which he led the playoffs in scoring twice and was right near the top a third time, Kucherov has just two goals total in the last four years of first-round exits (across 23 games).

The Lightning's most valuable player has just one year remaining on his contract ($9.5M AAV) before he's eligible for unrestricted free agency July 1, 2027. He's also eligible for an extension this summer, after he turns 33 next month. It will certainly be intriguing to see what the Bolts decide to do.

BriseBois 'has never been afraid to swing big'

LeBrun adds that "the odds are" getting him re-signed is probably the Lightning's preferred stance (and we would have to agree with that). But....

"But I will just point out," the insider writes, "BriseBois has never been afraid to swing big. That would be one heck of a chip to push into the market."

Unlike most superstars of his caliber (or even many other NHLers these days), Kucherov does not have a full no-move clause. He has a 10-team Trade List.

It would certainly be hard to see Tampa Bay move on from Kuch. He's led them to two Stanley Cup titles, and has one Hart Trophy on his mantlepiece, and two other top three finishes (and quite potentially another Finalist nomination this year).