Nikita Kucherov wanted to stay in Tampa Bay (but the damage is already done)

Marc-Olivier Cook
Nikita Kucherov wanted to stay in Tampa Bay (but the damage is already done)
Credit: Capture d'écran / X

Why does Nikita Kucherov want to leave Tampa Bay?

It's simple: he felt that Julien BriseBois disrespected him regarding the signing of his next contract. The player hasn't had many discussions (just two) with his GM in recent months, and he feels he didn't deserve that.

And that's understandable, given that we're talking about the Lightning's most important player for several years now.

But anyone who thinks it's because he no longer likes the city, is having trouble with his teammates, or no longer wants to play for Jon Cooper is mistaken.

Because Dan Milstein confirmed it himself: Kuch loves the city and his teammates. He has a great relationship with his coach and “would have liked to stay” under the warm Florida sun. 

Milstein, apparently, wants to stay involved in the situation…

If Kucherov wants to leave, it's really because the organization disrespected him during negotiations. And according to Pierre LeBrun, it's already too late to turn back the clock… even if the Lightning wants to offer him what he wants—a six-year contract worth $20 million per season:

I was told on Monday that Kucherov was still refusing to sign (6 years for $20 million). He feels he's been disrespected so badly that he now considers it too late. – Pierre LeBrun

Yeah…

If the guy already has his mind made up, it's going to be hard to convince him to stay.

Things can always change in the NHL (and we've seen that in the past), but for now… there's nothing—ABSOLUTELY NOTHING—to suggest that Kucherov is likely to sign a new deal with the Lightning.

And that's what makes this so exciting for other teams.


Quick Thoughts

– I love this segment. Tony's right!

– Yikes.

– News from MLB.

– Too bad.

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