Kucherov Trade Talk Shakes Lightning But He Keeps Scoring

Nikita Kucherov put up three assists Saturday night. The Lightning still lost 5-4 in a shootout to Nashville. The game happened one day after reports said the 33-year-old star wants out. He reportedly told teammates and the front office he won't re-sign. He asked for a trade.

General manager Julien BriseBois shot that down fast. He posted a statement saying the team has zero plans to move Kucherov. Defenseman John Carlson called the news surprising. He said once you hit the ice you only worry about your shift. Brayden Point kept it simple. He said contract stuff is Kucherov's business. He's a friend and a teammate. He'll play hard.

There was extra drama facing the Predators. Steven Stamkos used to be Tampa Bay's captain. He left after 16 seasons as the franchise scoring king. Kucherov passed him on October 24. Now he sits at 1142 career points. That's 405 goals and 737 assists. They won two Cups together in 2020 and 2021. Stamkos said he wasn't shocked but respected Kucherov's game. He still looked sharp out there.

Kucherov is in the last year of an eight-year 76 million dollar deal. That's 9.5 million per year. He signed it back in 2018. He's been eligible for a new contract since July. He can walk as a free agent after this season. He just finished his fourth straight 100-point year. He won his second Hart Trophy. He leads the team with 18 points so far.

Coach Jon Cooper says nothing changes. Kucherov is 100 percent in for this season. He warned fans not to read into every bad play or frustrated look. That's just hockey. Cooper will coach the same way. Kucherov will play like the superstar he is. The noise stays outside. The group might even get tighter because of it.