Report: Lightning Could Be 'At Their Limit' On Kucherov Offer

The season is about to begin, and Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov is heading into the final year of his deal still unsigned, as a pending unrestricted free agent. A bit of worry is now setting in amongst some observers of the team. 

Insider Elliotte Friedman reported on his 32 Thoughts podcast on Monday that we could be at an impasse in negotiations, and the Lightning could be at their limit.

"It's almost like [Julian] BriseBois said, I've either got a number I'm not willing to go past, or a term."

In the latest 32 Thoughts, @FriedgeHNIC and @sportsnetkyle discuss their season predictions, a potential Nikita Kucherov extension, and more!

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"I think if you look at (GM) Julien BriseBois' negotiation history, it's rare, really rare that a player they consider this important goes this long without being signed," Friedman said. "If it goes longer than this, then it's almost like Brisebois has said: 'I can (offer) what I'm willing to do for you. If you don't take it, I'm not doing it.' We've seen it from him before, right? 'You've hit my limit, I'm not going any further.'

BriseBois has likely gotten to his limit in what he'll offer Kucherov, says insider

"What I see is a situation where BriseBois has said, at this point in time, 'I've either got a number I'm not willing to go past, or a term I'm not willing to go past.' Obviously, that's where they are."

As Friedman alluded to, the Bolts let franchise icon Steven Stamkos go into free agency at the age of 34 a couple of years back, when no one believed they'd actually let their legendary center go.

Kucherov, 33, 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.

In the end, Friedman doesn't think they'll let Kucherov walk, and "I think they get there (somehow), but I think it's been harder because of just how much the ground has shifted (on the salary front)."