Skip to content

Kucherov won't report to Lightning training camp without contract

Kim Klement / USA TODAY Sports

Nikita Kucherov is holding out.

Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said the club was informed by the forward's agent, Scott Greenspun, that his client won't report to camp without a new contract, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.

The Lightning have about $5.9 million in cap space, according to General Fanager, after re-signing defenseman Nikita Nesterov earlier this week.

Yzerman said over the weekend that he expected contract talks to pick up now that Kucherov is done playing for Russia at the World Cup of Hockey, where he scored twice and added an assist in four games.

The 23-year-old restricted free agent established new career highs with 30 goals and 66 points for the Lightning last season. He scored 28 goals and tallied 64 points in 2014-15.

Kucherov is Tampa Bay's lone remaining free agent.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox