Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov informed the team that he won't re-sign and wants to be traded, sources told Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Kucherov made the request during a meeting with general manager Julien BriseBois on Friday. He then told his Lightning teammates on their flight to Nashville, where they'll play Saturday, according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.
Kucherov, last year's Hart Trophy winner, is earning $9.5 million in the final year of his contract. His deal includes a modified no-trade clause featuring 10 teams that he'd approve a trade to, per LeBrun. The teams on his list aren't yet known.
The 33-year-old Russian has spent his entire 13-year NHL career in Tampa, where he led the Lightning to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2019-20 and 2020-21. Last week, he passed Steven Stamkos to become the franchise's all-time points leader. He also owns the most assists in Lightning history and ranks second in goals behind Stamkos.
Kucherov's stellar career includes two MVPs, five first-team All-Star selections, three Art Ross Trophies, and six 100-point seasons. His 144 points in 2023-24 are the single-season record for a Russian-born player.
Kucherov has tallied four goals, 15 points, and a team-best 11 assists over his first 12 games this season.
The Lightning have made the playoffs in nine straight seasons and 12 of the last 13, winning two Stanley Cups and reaching the finals four times in that span. However, they haven't advanced past the first round since 2021-22, when they lost the Stanley Cup Final to the Colorado Avalanche.
Tampa Bay entered Friday sitting third in the Atlantic Division with an 8-3-1 record.
