In a recent interview with Soviet Sports, Tampa Bay Lightning All-Star forward Nikita Kucherov had some harsh words for his teammates and the Lightning’s coaching staff
Nikita Kucherov isn’t happy. While in Russia for the World Championship, the Lightning right winger spoke with Pavel Lysenko of Sovsport.ru. The interview started innocently enough, with Lysenko asking about Team Russia, some former friends of Kucherov’s, and his thoughts on his former KHL team CKSA.
Things began to turn sour, however, when Kucherov was asked about his contract and Tampa Bay’s 2016-17 season. Kucherov elaborated on the team’s hardships, with captain Steven Stamkos being injured for the entire season once again and how it messed with team chemistry. These complaints were warranted, as the Lightning’s lines were changed around almost every game it seems, in hopes of finding something that clicked. Nothing did, as Kucherov noted.
On the subject of team chemistry, Kucherov kind of hijacked the interview and took it as an opportunity to take a jab at some unnamed teammates and even the Lightning’s coaching staff. As the interview was conducted in Kuch’s native tongue, Russian, here is the translated version of what Kucherov had to say, courtesy of The Hockey Writers.
"And moreover, some guys were around too much in the team. They’ve got their money and stopped working. They knew that there was no competition in the lineup and the organization wasn’t going to acquire anyone else. They didn’t really play well this year, you can see it from their stats and play. When I was playing with them, they wouldn’t even expect my passes. This is why this season was hard to me, in spite of the good stats."
Kucherov didn’t waste any words in getting his point across. He bluntly says that some of his Lightning teammates have stopped working. It sounds like he attributes their contentment to safety in their role on the team; they’ve got their contracts, and no one else is competing for their position on the team. Because of this, they coasted through the season and now the Lightning are at home instead of in the playoffs. Harsh, but not entirely inaccurate.
While Kucherov didn’t reference anyone in particular, he mentions that the subjects of his remarks are visible. According to Kucherov, the player’s stats and play would be enough evidence to figure out who he’s talking about.
There are several Lightning skaters who had less than stellar seasons. Tyler Johnson, Alex Killorn, and J.T. Brown all performed below the level the team hoped for from them. Especially with the playoff production Killorn and Johnson have shown they’re capable of, it was hoped they would step up when Stamkos was injured. Killorn also received a hefty new contract prior to last season, which may be the source of Kucherov’s money-related comments.
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This wasn’t what most Bolts fans expected or wanted to hear this offseason. After one of the most disappointing seasons in the franchise history of the Lightning, postseason drama is the opposite of what they need. However, it might be necessary if the Lightning are to rebound next year. Brutal honesty such as this forces introspection. While it isn’t what most Bolts fans want to hear, it might just be what needs to be said.