Nikita Kucherov's trade request has not stopped him from dominating for Lightning

Of all the trade requests that have happened in the NHL over the past few months, Nikita Kucherov's request to leave the Tampa Bay Lightning, as well as his decision to not re-sign with the team after the season in unrestricted free agency, was probably the most shocking. 

Not only is Kucherov an all-time great player for the Lightning and still one of the best players in the league, but they are still contenders this season. That is not usually the sort of situation that leads to a trade request. 

But the lack of communication between the team and him regarding a new contract has resulted in an obviously soured relationship that produced the trade request in October.

His apparent unhappiness has not stopped him from absolutely dominating for the Lightning.

He continued that on Wednesday night in an 8-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres.

Nikita Kucherov's hat trick shows he can still dominate through unhappiness

Kucherov recorded a hat trick for the Lightning on Wednesday night, completely taking over the game in the third period as they turned a one-goal game into an absolute laugher. 

Kucherov also added an assist in the win, giving him a four-point night and 26 points through the Lightning's first 18 games. That puts him on a 122-point pace over 84 games. If he maintains that, it would be the fifth 120-point season of his career. 

He has also managed to score four goals, with seven assists (11 total points) and 22 shots on goal in the six games since his trade request went public. 

The Lightning are 4-2 in those games. 

Kucherov scoring at that rate is not really a surprise. It's what he does, and it's what has made him a three-time NHL scoring champion and two-time league MVP. But the fact that he is doing it against the backdrop of a trade request and a crumbling relationship with the team is also a testament to his desire to play at a high level and still compete. 

When Connor Hellebuyck made his trade request with the Winnipeg Jets, he stayed away until he was traded to the New Jersey Devils.

Dylan Larkin is no longer playing for the Detroit Red Wings until his request is granted. 

It would be easy for Kucherov to take that same approach and try to force the Lightning's hands. But he isn't. And that approach might ultimately lead to him finishing the season with the Lightning, even if the team knows he will not re-sign after the season. 

The Lightning are very clearly in a win-now mode, and general manager Julian Brisebois has made it very clear he is not trading his best player. He has also shown, very recently in fact, that he is okay with letting a franchise icon leave in free agency if it comes to that. Steven Stamkos was not traded in the final year of his contract and ultimately signed with the Nashville Predators in unrestricted free agency.

At this point, that might be the most likely path for Kucherov.

Because if he keeps playing like this, it is going to give the Lightning a chance. There is no trade to be made that is going to bring them back a better player for this season, even if it would give them more long-term value.