TAMPA — Nikita Kucherov finally said why he wants out.
The Lightning's reigning MVP told reporters after practice Monday that his request for a trade had nothing to do with his next contract's price tag.
“It was never about the money for me,” Kucherov said, according to NHL.com. “It was more about poor communication and respect. Over the last four months, we only have had two conversations, and (general manager Julien BriseBois) in the end made it clear that I'm free to walk on July 1.”
How we got here
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Friday, citing multiple sources, that Kucherov had told his teammates and the organization he would not re-sign with Tampa Bay and wanted to be traded.
A few hours later, BriseBois put out a one-line answer on the team's social media: “We unequivocally have no intention of trading Nikita,” NHL.com reported.
Kucherov, 33, is in the last season of the eight-year, $76 million contract he signed in July 2018. He has been eligible to sign an extension since July 1 and can become an unrestricted free agent after this season. In September, BriseBois said both sides would prefer to have a deal done and that he was keeping the lines open with Kucherov's agent.
'My kids grow up here'
Kucherov didn't sound like a player who has stopped caring about Tampa. Asked what the Lightning mean to him, he said, “Everything. I got drafted here ... This is my 14th year. (I won) a couple championships, and I've met a lot of great people. Everything. My kids grow up here. I'm forever grateful for this organization.”
He said his teammates heard about the request from him first. “Those guys are my family, and this will never change.”
Asked if he could see a way to stay, he answered, “I make my request, and yeah …” and let it trail off.
Forward Brandon Hagel said the locker room isn't treating it as a betrayal. “He didn't quit on us. He doesn't give up on us,” Hagel said. “It's just the reality of hockey and reality of those types of situations, and that will get dealt with.”
Why it's a big deal
Kucherov is the best player the franchise has had. He passed Steven Stamkos as the Lightning's all-time leading scorer on Oct. 24 and has 1,142 points in 892 games for Tampa Bay. He won the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021, the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 2019 and 2026, and three scoring titles. He has 18 points in 13 games this season, the Associated Press and NHL.com reported.
The Lightning don't have to trade him. But if he won't sign an extension, the team has to decide whether to keep him for one more playoff run and risk losing him for nothing next summer, or move him before the trade deadline for players and picks.
What's next
For now, Kucherov is still playing. “For now, I'm part of this team, and I will do anything I can to help my teammates win,” he said.
The Lightning (8-3-2), who hold the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, host the Detroit Red Wings at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The game is on DSN and The Spot. It's the team's first home game since Kucherov spoke publicly, so watch for how the crowd greets him.