Sources: Hart winner Kucherov, 33, requests trade from Lightning

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Tampa Bay Lightning star forward Nikita Kucherov has requested a trade, sources told ESPN on Friday night, confirming an earlier report.

Sources told ESPN that Kucherov informed his teammates of his decision on the team plane today. Tampa Bay plays in Nashville on Saturday.

Kucherov, 33, is in the final year of an eight year, $76 million contract. With the NHL’s rising salary cap, the winger is due for a massive raise, potentially more than double the current $9.5 million average annual value. Negotiations between Tampa Bay and Kucherov’s camp remained far apart, sources said, which led to a meeting Friday in which Kucherov said he wanted to play elsewhere.

Kucherov’s agent, Dan Milstein, and Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois did not immediately respond to ESPN’s requests for comment. Kucherov has a modified no-trade clause, which allows him to submit a 10-team list of approved teams for Tampa Bay to work with. Sources also told ESPN that Kucherov has his sights set on playing with one of the NHL’s other top superstars.

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It’s a stunning development, especially considering how much success the Lightning and Kucherov have had together. Kucherov is a three-time Art Ross Trophy winner and the reigning Hart Trophy winner as league MVP. He has won two Stanley Cups with the Lightning, in 2020 and 2021.

Tampa Bay is third in the Atlantic Division at 8-3-1, winning its first six home games. Kucherov has four goals and 15 points through 12 games.

Kucherov recently surpassed longtime teammate Steven Stamkos to become the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. The Russian-born winger has spent his entire 14-year NHL career in Tampa Bay.

Sportsnet was first to report the news Friday.

Source: www.espn.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.