Massive Asking Price Emerges In Nikita Kucherov Talks
Deadline Passed Without A Deal
Kucherov is entering the final season of the eight-year, $76 million contract he signed back in 2018, carrying a $9.5 million cap hit that looks almost quaint given his production since.
He's eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer, and Tuesday was the last day Tampa Bay could have signed him to an eight-year extension before the NHL's new contract rules dropped the maximum term to seven years for a player's own team.
Chris Johnston: Re Nikita Kucherov/Lightning negotiations: I heard some pretty big numbers that he was looking for, something like 20 million dollar range on like a six year deal - Chris Johnston Show (9/17)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) September 17, 2026
That deadline came and went without a deal. Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois addressed the situation this week, saying he expects Kucherov to remain with the organization "for many years to come" and that he's still in regular contact with Kucherov's agent, Dan Milstein.
"Both parties I know would have preferred to have a deal today to be able to put that behind us," BriseBois said. "We haven't been able to do that." Kucherov, for his part, has mostly deflected questions about his own future, saying his focus is on helping the team this season.
Numbers Being Discussed Are Enormous
Johnston said he's heard some enormous figures floated during the negotiations, including something in the neighborhood of $20 million annually on a six-year deal.
It's worth being careful with that number, since Johnston framed it as what he's heard Kucherov's side is looking for rather than a confirmed, formal demand.
When asked how the game has changed over the years, Nikita Kucherov gives an answer only he can…
— Jay Recher (@jayRecher) September 16, 2026
“The game is faster….but very dumb. Low IQ.”
When I followed up asking “In what way?”
He says “the hockey way”
Classic Kuch. #GoBolts #NHL pic.twitter.com/CmOUCisfpr
Still, the context makes it far from outlandish. Cale Makar's $20.4 million annual value this offseason set the league's new benchmark, and multiple analysts, including Jeff Marek on the Sekeres & Price podcast, have already floated Kucherov as a legitimate candidate to become the league's next $20 million player, alongside or even ahead of Quinn Hughes.
BriseBois has publicly called Kucherov "maybe the best player in the world right now," pointing to a three-year stretch that included back-to-back Art Ross Trophies, a second Hart Trophy, and a run of production he's called the best any forward has posted between ages 30 and 32 in league history.
