Tampa Bay Lightning star right wing Nikita Kucherov has informed the team he will not re-sign and has requested a trade, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The development comes as Kucherov, who became the Lightning's all-time leading scorer during a game against the Winnipeg Jets on October 29, 2026, approaches the end of his contract. The 29-year-old Russian forward has been a cornerstone of Tampa Bay's offense, helping the team win back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021.
Kucherov's trade request creates significant uncertainty for the Lightning organization, which must now decide whether to move one of the NHL's most productive scorers or risk losing him for nothing in free agency. The three-time All-Star and 2019 Hart Trophy winner as league MVP has consistently ranked among the NHL's scoring leaders since his debut in 2013.
