Lightning GM responds to Nikita Kucherov trade request, draws hard line

The initial reports regarding Kucherov's trade request revolved around the idea that he has no intention of re-signing with the team. He is eligible for unrestricted free agency after this season, and it would seem that negotiations have not gone well to this point.

Kucherov is still one of the best players in the league and is easily a Mt. Rushmore player in Lightning franchise history, but they have had no issue in parting with players like that in the past (see: Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos). 

At this point, it does BriseBois no good to say anything other than what he did. He still has a goal of trying to win this season, and Kucherov being on the roster helps with that. He also has to try to drum up interest and get a bidding war going among the teams that might find their way onto Kucherov's accepted trade list. (He can list 10 teams he will accept a trade to as part of his no-trade protections in his contract.) 

That said, if he holds true to that claim it could create for a messy situation.

Not only is Kucherov a free agent after this season and could potentially leave Tampa Bay for nothing, but there is also the possibility that Kucherov stops playing nice and takes matters into his own hands. For now, he is still willing to play for the Lightning. But what happens if he takes a page out of the Connor Hellebuyck (with the Winnipeg Jets before his trade to the New Jersey Devils) and Dylan Larkin (no longer being willing to play for the Detroit Red Wings) playbook and decides to stay away?

The precedent is there this very season. Just because BriseBois has that public position does not mean that is going to be the end of it. Stay tuned. This story is only just beginning.