Kucherov exits Tampa Bay, asks for trade before free agency

Nikita Kucherov will not return to the Tampa Bay Lightning next season. The three-time NHL scoring champion informed the club on Friday that he is not re-signing and has requested a trade, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

The player holds an eight-year, $76 million contract that expires after this season. Kucherov becomes an unrestricted free agent in July. He has accumulated 1,139 points in 891 regular-season games since joining the league in 2013. That total ranks third in the modern era behind Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. Kucherov also leads all active players with 177 career playoff points.

General Manager Julien BriseBois confirmed the team’s desire to keep the star winger for the long term. Speaking at his training camp opening last month, BriseBois called Kucherov "maybe the best player in the world right now." The GM noted that he and agent Dan Milstein maintained open lines of communication. BriseBois stated in September that he believed Kucherov would remain elite well into his 30s.

Kucherov recently passed former captain Steven Stamkos to become the franchise’s all-time points leader. The 33-year-old Russian winger has recorded four goals and 11 assists in 12 games this season. He currently ranks second on the Lightning in scoring behind Brandon Hagel.

The Lightning have reached the playoffs 12 times in the last 13 seasons. They made the final four rounds during stretches defined by Kucherov and Victor Hedman. However, the team has lost in the first round in each of the past four years. The salary cap structure limits how long the Lightning can retain their core players.

Kucherov joins a list of recent high-profile trade requests. Brady Tkachuk moved from Ottawa to Florida. Connor Hellebuyck went from Winnipeg to New Jersey. Dylan Larkin remains in contract limbo with Detroit. Kucherov’s situation differs because he has no guaranteed money remaining after this season.

The Lightning did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Sportsnet first reported the news. The decision ends a tenure in which Kucherov helped Tampa Bay win two Stanley Cups. He earned the Hart Trophy as league MVP in the 2018-19 and 2025-26 seasons.