Nikita Kucherov Asks Lightning for Trade, Won't Re-Sign; GM Says Tampa Bay Has 'No Intention' of Dealing Him

The biggest trade request of a turbulent NHL season landed on Friday night, Oct. 30. Nikita Kucherov, the reigning Hart Trophy winner and the Tampa Bay Lightning’s all-time leading scorer, has told the team he will not re-sign and wants to be traded, according to multiple reports.

Within hours, the Lightning pushed back publicly. General manager Julien BriseBois said in a statement that the team “unequivocally” has no intention of trading him, setting up what could be a season-long standoff.

What was reported

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was first with the news. Citing multiple sources, he reported that Kucherov “informed both his teammates and the Lightning organization that he will not be re-signing with Tampa Bay and would like to be traded,” according to NHL.com and USA Today.

Further details followed from other outlets, as summarized by USA Today:

• The meeting: The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported that Kucherov and his agent asked for the trade in a meeting with BriseBois on Friday, and that Kucherov told teammates on the team plane.
• The contract gap: ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported that the two sides “remained far apart” in contract talks, which led to Friday’s meeting.
• The reason: Friedman reported that the “exact reasons” Kucherov wants out now are unclear.

The Lightning’s response

The team posted a short statement from BriseBois on social media Friday night:

“We are aware of the media reports regarding the future of Nikita Kucherov with the Lightning. We unequivocally have no intention of trading Nikita.”

Before the season, BriseBois had sounded hopeful. “I’m still in touch with his agent to keep the lines of communication open with the goal being to get Nikita signed to a contract that will keep him in Tampa many years to come,” he said on Sept. 16, according to NHL.com.

Kucherov’s contract

Kucherov, 33, is in the final season of an eight-year, $76 million contract worth $9.5 million a year, which he signed in July 2018. He has been eligible to sign an extension since July 1 and can become an unrestricted free agent after the season, NHL.com reported.

USA Today noted that the deal now looks like a bargain in a rising salary cap world, and that Kucherov appears to be looking for a major raise. Multiple reports say he has a modified no-trade clause that allows a trade only to a list of 10 preferred teams. Kaplan wrote that she believes Kucherov “has his eyes set on playing with another one of the league’s top superstars.”

Nikita Kucherov stats

Kucherov has been one of the NHL’s most productive players for years, per NHL.com and USA Today:

• This season: 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 12 games for the 8-3-1 Lightning.
• Career: 1,139 points (405 goals, 734 assists) in 891 games, all with Tampa Bay, making him the franchise’s all-time leading scorer after he recently passed Steven Stamkos.
• Last season: 130 points, second in the NHL, and his second Hart Trophy as league MVP.
• Playoffs: 177 points in 159 games, and two Stanley Cups (2020 and 2021).

Will Kucherov keep playing?

LeBrun reported he was told Kucherov plans to keep playing for the Lightning while the situation plays out, USA Today said. That differs from other recent cases, such as Dylan Larkin, who has been suspended by the Detroit Red Wings.

What’s next

With the GM ruling out a trade and the player reportedly ruling out a new deal, the most likely short-term outcome is that Kucherov keeps playing while both sides wait. USA Today noted the Lightning have let stars leave before, including longtime captain Steven Stamkos, who signed with Nashville in 2024. Tampa Bay has lost in the first round four straight years, which adds pressure to the season either way.

FAQ