When one says the name Nikita Kucherov in the Tampa Bay area, it is not uncommon for it to be followed by the exclamation, “Kuch!” Kucherov is a beloved member of the Tampa Bay Lightning and for good reason.
The NHL lists Nikita Kucherov not only has having eclipsed the 100 point mark five times in his career, but also having earned a plethora of career accolades including two Stanley Cups. Additionally, the NHL records the Tampa Bay forward as having led all skaters during the 2024-2025 NHL season with 121 points. Without Nikita Kucherov, the Tampa Bay Lightning would drastically become a completely different squad. Tampa Bay could certainly not ask more of the veteran star.
However, Kucherov may be asking more of Tampa Bay. As per PuckPedia, Kucherov will be entering the final year of his $76 million 8 year contract in the 2026-2027 NHL season. Consequently, Kucherov will become an unrestricted free agent in need of a new contract as listed on PuckPedia.
General Manager Julien BriseBois most certainly understands the value of Nikita Kucherov to the Tampa Bay Lightning offense. Kucherov’s playmaking ability combined with his elite hockey intelligence allows him to dominate games. Alongside forwards Brayden Point and Jake Guentzel, Kucherov becomes a defense’s worst nightmare. More likely than not, BriseBois will hopefully extend Nikita Kucherov in order to avoid the fiasco of Kucherov’s former teammate: Steven Stamkos.
Steven Stamkos, the former Captain and face of the Tampa Bay Lightning, was allowed to walk in free agency due to contract differences with the Tampa Bay. After holding at hope that Stamkos would finally reach a deal, fans were shocked to see Steven Stamkos become the newest member of the Nashville Predators. While fans will never truly know what happened between Steven Stamkos and the Bolts, one notion is certain: it cannot happen to Nikita Kucherov.
While in certain cases it is wise to wait before extending one’s star talent, Kucherov does not follow into that category. It is not unreasonable to label Kucherov as one of the National Hockey League’s most valuable players. In Kucherov’s domain are players such as Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews, and Leon Draisaitl. Each of the prior players stated brings a special value to their squads in the form of unparalleled offense. One cannot simply replace a Connor McDavid in the same way one cannot replace a Nikita Kucherov.
Look for the Tampa Bay Lightning to hopefully extend Nikita Kucherov soon.