Lightning's Nikita Kucherov: Contract extension should come soon

Contract talks between Kucherov and the Lightning should pick up now that Team Russia has been eliminated from the World Cup of Hockey.

Analysis:

The team wants to get him signed as soon as possible and general manager Steve Yzerman says he will "push harder" to get that done now that the tourney is done. Kucherov is a major piece of the Lightning and arguably their best forward, so it's really just a matter of time.