Kucherov requests trade from Lightning

Nikita Kucherov has informed the Tampa Bay Lightning that he intends to be traded rather than re-sign with the team. A person with knowledge of the talks told The Associated Press on Friday that the 33-year-old winger made the decision before the start of the regular season. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions remain private. The Lightning did not immediately return a message seeking comment on the development.

Kucherov is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season. That status follows the expiration of an eight-year, $76 million contract he signed in 2018. During that tenure, he helped Tampa Bay win two Stanley Cups and led the league in scoring three times. He also received the Hart Trophy for MVP in the 2018-19 and 2025-26 seasons.

General manager Julien BriseBois previously described Kucherov as a historically great player and one of the best in the world. In mid-September, BriseBois told reporters that the goal was to sign Kucherov to a long-term deal to keep him as a core member of a perennial contender. He stated that he and Kucherov's agent, Dan Milstein, would keep communication lines open to reach that agreement.

"Both parties, I know, would have preferred to have a deal today to be able to put that behind us. We haven't been able to do that," BriseBois said at the time. He added that he had every reason to believe Kucherov would remain an elite player well into his 30s.

Kucherov became the Lightning's career points leader last weekend after passing former captain Steven Stamkos. He has recorded four goals and 11 assists for 15 points in 12 games this season, which places him second on the team behind Brandon Hagel. His 1,139 regular-season points since his 2013 debut are the third-most in that timeframe, behind only Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. His 177 playoff points during the same span are the most.

The move makes Kucherov the latest high-profile star to request a trade in recent months. Brady Tkachuk moved from Ottawa to Florida, and Connor Hellebuyck moved from Winnipeg to New Jersey. Dylan Larkin remains with Detroit while his situation is unresolved. Unlike those players, Kucherov has no remaining contract term, creating immediate uncertainty for the Lightning.

The Lightning have made the playoffs 12 times in 13 seasons with Kucherov and Victor Hedman as central figures. The team reached the conference finals four times with that core. They have been eliminated in the first round in each of the past four seasons.