Tampa Bay Lightning: Top 5 Contracts That Need To Be Signed

2. Nikita Kucherov

Nikita Kucherov is a young up and coming player. Kucherov is only 22 years old and had the most points of on a Tampa Bay Lightning team which also hold Steven Stamkos. Kucherov also had a plus-nine plus-minus rating; a let down from last year’s plus-38 plus-minus rating, but still good.

Nikita Kucherov could be the most significant signing the Lightning have this year. Kucherov has played good all three years with the Lightning, his best being in the 2014-2015 season. But the most impressive part of his game is how he didn’t slow down.

Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson also had great years that year. Palat, Johnson, and Kucherov made up one of the best lines in hockey. But in the 2015-2016 season, Johnson and Palat slowed down a little. Kucherov, however, kept pace by scoring a career-high 30 goals.

There are a lot of big contracts coming up for the Lightning; You have Stamkos and Kucherov this summer and Victor Hedman the next. It would be very hard for the Lightning to keep all of these players. Someone is going to have to take a salary cut or be moved.

I think the Lightning should prioritize signing Kucherov and Hedman. If Stamkos is signed at a high rate, then the Lightning could lose both. Hedman might be the best player on the Lightning right now; you can’t lose him.

Nikita Kucherov should be a priority to maintain the Lightning reputation of being an offensive power. If Stamkos is signed, Kucherov, Mathew Carle, and Ben Bishop could all be on the trade block. Let’s hope “Kuuuuuch” gets signed.

Next: 3. Alex Killorn