NHL star Nikita Kucherov asks Lightning for trade

Nikita Kucherov has told the Tampa Bay Lightning he will not re-sign with the team. The 33-year-old winger also requested a trade, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The source spoke to The Associated Press on Friday under the condition of anonymity because the discussions are private. The Lightning did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Sportsnet first reported the news.

Kucherov plays on an eight-year contract worth $76 million that he signed in 2018. This current season is the final year of that deal. After the season ends, he will become an unrestricted free agent. During his time with Tampa Bay, he helped the team win two Stanley Cups. He led the National Hockey League in scoring three times. He received the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player in the 2018-19 and 2025-26 seasons.

General Manager Julien BriseBois praised Kucherov at the team's training camp opening last month. "Nikita is a historically great player," BriseBois said. "He's not just one of the best players in the world right now, maybe the best player in the world right now. He is one of the best players ever."

Kucherov has recorded 1,139 points in 891 regular-season games since his 2013 debut. That total ranks third among all players over that time span. Only Connor McDavid of Edmonton and Nathan MacKinnon of Colorado have more. In the playoffs, Kucherov has 177 points, the highest total for that period. Last weekend, he became the Lightning's career points leader by passing former captain Steven Stamkos. He currently has 15 points through 12 games this season.

In mid-September, BriseBois told reporters the goal was to sign Kucherov to a new deal. He wanted to keep the player around for years as part of a team that regularly wins. BriseBois said he and Kucherov's agent, Dan Milstein, would keep communicating. "I have every reason to believe that he's going to remain an elite player well into his 30s," BriseBois said. "That's been the mindset throughout these contract negotiations. 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."

Kucherov's move follows recent high-profile trades. Brady Tkachuk went from Ottawa to Florida. Connor Hellebuyck moved from Winnipeg to New Jersey. Dylan Larkin is still with Detroit but in uncertain status. Unlike those players, Kucherov has no time left on his current contract. The Lightning have made the playoffs 12 times in the last 13 seasons. They reached the final round four times with Kucherov and Victor Hedman as core members. The team was eliminated in the first round each of the past four years.

The Lightning face a decision on how to proceed with the trade request. Kucherov will remain with the team until the season concludes or a trade is completed.