Report: Maple Leafs & Canadiens Teams That Kucherov 'Would Consider'

The bombshell trade request from superstar Nikita Kucherov is continuing to make waves across the NHL. The Tampa Bay Lightning have said they have no intention of trading the Hart Trophy winner, but at some point, if it does come to that, it appears that both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens would be in the running. 

Elliotte Friedman reported what he's heard about Kucherov on his Saturday Headlines segment:

 I do believe that if Tampa was going to trade him and Montreal & Toronto could come up with a package that Tampa would like, those are two teams among many he would consider.

Kucherov does have a 10-team trade list as part of this final year of his $76 million contract ($9.5M AAV). 

Leafs players are already reacting to this stunning, though remote, possibility.  

“That would be unbelievable to get him. He’s easily one of the best players in the world," said his former teammate Darren Raddysh, who was stunned by the report. “I thought maybe it was April Fool’s Day... But, yeah, I know how he is, and I know how (Tampa GM) Julien (BriseBois) is. And if they don’t want to come to something, that’s maybe how it’s going to go."

Nick Paul, also a former Kucherov teammate in Tampa Bay, said the news of the trade request “Obviously shocks everyone. Don’t know, really, what’s going on there. I mean, yeah, just was shocked.”

Jeff Marek had predicted on The Sheet just before the season started that he could see a Kuch to the Canadiens move.

"It hits on a lot of SPECULATIVE, levels" Jeff Marek could see a world where Nikita Kucherov becomes a Montreal Canadien next July 1st 👀 @JeffMarek | @hockeyaccent1 | #GoHabsGo https://t.co/VLquukx1ji

— The Sheet with Jeff Marek (@thesheethockey) September 24, 2026

But again, to be clear, the Lightning have said they are "unequivocally" not going to trade him, and head coach Jon Cooper also said that Kucherov “wants to be a part of this team for this season and he is committed to be with the group that loves him and the group he loves.”

Additionally, after Friedman dropped this rumor about the Leafs & Habs, his compatriot on the Saturday Night Hockey panel, Kevin Bieksa, threw some cold water on it, stating:

"In what universe is Julien BriseBois trading him within the division? In what universe is he sending him to Toronto or Montreal?... That would be like a job killer!... Not trying to rain on your parade, but Toronto & Montreal fans, just be careful."