Go ahead and pick your jaw up off the floor after that one.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.
This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that Kucherov had informed the team and his teammates of his plans to sign elsewhere when his 8-year, $76 million deal ends after this season.CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGEOn top of that, Friedman reports that the two-time Hart Trophy winner and two-time Stanley Cup champion has asked the club for a trade, though Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois and Kucherov’s agent, Dan Milstein, declined to comment.The prevailing thought was that Kucherov would almost certainly re-sign with the Lightning.He's been their centerpiece through three runs to the Stanley Cup Final and the team is still playing well.
They're currently third in the Atlantic Division, just two points out of first place.LIGHTNING CAPTAIN VICTOR HEDMAN OPENS UP ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ABSENCE AFTER FIRST-ROUND PLAYOFF EXITMultiple reports suggest that reigning NHL MVP Nikita Kucherov has told the Tampa Bay Lightning he will not re-sign with them and would like a trade.(Candice Ward-Imagn Images)However, if Friedman's report proves to be on the money, things could get wild.If Kucherov has indeed indicated he won’t re-sign, the Lightning will obviously look to trade him rather than let the reigning league MVP walk for nothing.The 33-year-old Russian currently has a modified no-trade clause, which shouldn't be too limiting when it comes to getting a deal done.The 33-year-old is coming off of a 130-point 2025-26 campaign, (Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APPThe problem may be that the Lightning will want a hefty return for such a high-end player, while potential trade partners will likely want assurances that paying a high price will secure Ku...