Lightning Teammates Talk About What Makes Nikita Kucherov Special

By the final horn, Kucherov had overtaken McDavid for the NHL scoring lead, and with that 4-point game, he also joined Gretzky and Lemieux in NHL history. He also became the first player with 75 points over a 33-game span since Mario Lemieux in 1995-96.

JJ Moser Breaks Down Kucherov’s Craft

After the game, Kucherov’s teammates were asked about what makes him so special? JJ Moser, who has become indispensable to the Lightning this season, described the preparation and attention to detail that define his game. He emphasized the thought, effort, and craft that go into every play.

"Just the work he puts in. Like, it's easy to think, oh, he's just gifted, he's just talented, he just sees the game, but it doesn't come from nothing. Nothing in his work comes from nothing. The amount of work he puts in in little details that you probably wouldn't even think about — all the rims, all the video analysis, where he, like, looks at every player, looks at their tendencies, knows everything, knows the way his stick moves from, like, a timing standpoint, when to give the pass. It's all, like, little details that very few people even think about, and he just knows it inside and out."

That perspective cuts through one of the biggest misconceptions about elite players.

From the outside, Kucherov’s game can look effortless. The no-look passes, the perfect timing, the ability to slow everything down — it feels instinctive. But as his teammate points out, it’s built on preparation and obsessing over details most players never even consider.

Brandon Hagel Explains How Kucherov Makes Everyone Better

Kucherov’s preparation is only part of what makes him great; equally important is how he elevates everyone around him. Brandon Hagel, who has developed strong chemistry with Kucherov through offseason training and consistent time on the ice, was asked a similar question and explained what it’s like to play alongside him:

"He does everything well. He plays defense, works hard, gets on the forecheck, gets pucks back, and creates plays. He slows the game down and makes five guys on the ice better. That's tough to do when you're one player, but he does it every night. Every time you step on the ice with him, you're a better player, from the 2D to the two forwards he's playing with."

That’s the rarest quality in hockey. Plenty of players can take over a game. Fewer can elevate everyone around them.

Kucherov doesn’t just create offense for himself — he does it for entire lines and entire shifts. Defensemen get cleaner looks, linemates find more space, and the game feels slower, simpler, and more manageable.

He’s not just one of the most talented players in the league — he’s one of the most complete to have ever played the game. And as the 2025-26 NHL playoffs approach, the Lightning know exactly what they have.

A player who doesn’t just lead the league in points — but redefines what greatness looks like every time he steps on the ice.