Nikita Kucherov to the Oilers after Bob Stauffer raises eyebrows with Mike Babcock remark

Nikita Kucherov asked the Tampa Bay Lightning for a trade on Friday, and by Saturday night the Edmonton Oilers had wandered into the conversation.

Oilers broadcaster Bob Stauffer is the reason.

The 33-year-old winger told the team he won't re-sign this summer.

He's earning $9.5 million in the final year of his deal, and he reportedly wanted a six-year extension worth around $20 million per season.

Lightning GM Julien BriseBois said the club has no intention of trading him, and Kucherov is expected to keep playing for now.

During the second intermission of Saturday's game against the New York Islanders, Stauffer shared a hunch that Kucherov's agent, Dan Milstein, already has a landing spot in mind. He didn't say where.

He did mention that Milstein admires Mike Babcock, and that was enough to get Oilers fans talking.

That admiration isn't new. Back in June, Milstein said none of his clients ever had a problem with Babcock and called him one of the best coaches in the game.

It's also worth remembering who Kucherov's agent is, and who he went to bat for.

Reports say Kucherov wants to play next to another elite superstar, and Edmonton can offer Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard.

The Rangers have been floated as another fit.

It won't be easy, though. Kucherov has a modified no-trade clause with a 10-team list that hasn't been made public, other clubs can offer better prospects and picks, and fitting his salary next to that core would be a real cap puzzle.

For now, this is all speculation, and Tampa Bay says it isn't moving him.

Still, with Babcock behind the Oilers bench and Milstein on the other end of the phone, Edmonton's name isn't going away anytime soon.

Also read on House Of Hockey :
Dylan Larkin's trade saga takes another turn as Friedman reveals a 48-hour shift