Lightning GM 'Would Have Preferred' To Have Kucherov Extension Done By Now

Wednesday, September 16, 2026
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One intriguing development as training camps open around the league is that the Tampa Bay Lightning and superstar forward and pending UFA, Nikita Kucherov, do NOT have an extension in place. At this point, if nothing gets done, he will be playing out the final year of his contract, with free agency beckoning at season's end. 
In meeting with the media, GM Julien BriseBois confirmed that he had hoped they'd have had something done by now. An eight-year extension is off the table, as Pierre LeBrun noted, as they are no longer allowed with the new CBA kicking in today. Granted, Kuch is 33, so the chances of an eight-year deal were probably slim, anyway.

"Nikita Kucherov is a historically great player. He's not just one of the best players in the world right now, he is one of the best players ever," said BriseBois. "And with his tremendous work ethic and commitment to his craft, I have every reason to believe that he's going to remain an elite player well into his 30s. That's been the mindset throughout these contract negotiations.
"Both parties, I know, would have preferred to have a deal today, be able to put that behind us. We haven't been able to do that. I'm still in touch with his agent. We're going to keep the lines of communication open with the goal remaining to get Nikita signed to a contract that's going to keep him in Tampa for many years to come, playing on a Stanley Cup contender throughout."

Of course, that last line is a not-so-veiled comment about needing to keep his cap hit a reasonable one so that they can continue to build a Cup-contending team around him. Which, in turn, likely indicates that the two sides have a difference of opinion on how much that extension should pay him.

Kucherov refuses to comment on lack of extension ahead of final year of contract

As for Kucherov himself, he was much less forthcoming in his interview with the media today:
“What's in my mind? My mind is trying to help the team this year. I control what I can control & I'll do my best with what I can on the ice & that's what I'm focusing on right now & not much more I can say.”

Kucherov is the reigning Hart Trophy winner as the league's MVP, has three Art Ross Trophies as the top scorer in the NHL, is a seven-time All-Star, and a two-time Stanley Cup champion. He has 401 goals and 723 assists for 1,124 points in 879 career games.


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