Elliotte Friedman reveals two Canadian teams Nikita Kucherov would consider joining

Nikita Kucherov has asked the Tampa Bay Lightning for a trade, and Elliotte Friedman believes Canada is not a problem for him.

Speaking on Saturday Headlines, the Sportsnet insider said Kucherov would consider both Montreal and Toronto if Tampa decided to move him and either club put together a package the Lightning liked.

That matters because not every player with trade protection is open to Canada.

Friedman was careful to point out that Montreal and Toronto are only two of many teams Kucherov would look at, so nobody should treat this as a done deal.

Friedman said the sticking point was less about money and more about the pace of contract talks, which moved far too slowly for Kucherov's liking.

The 33-year-old is in the final year of a deal that carries a $9.5 million cap hit, and his camp has made it clear he won't re-sign in Tampa.

Tampa general manager Julien BriseBois has said he has no intention of trading his cornerstone winger.

Kucherov's agent, Dan Milstein, said it is unlikely his client will stop playing for the Lightning in the meantime, and coach Jon Cooper said he is committed to the group this season.

Cap space is the obvious one.

Kucherov also has a modified no-trade clause, which lets him submit a list of 10 teams he would accept a deal to, and the names on it haven't been reported.

Very few clubs have room for that number, so both the Canadiens and the Maple Leafs would have to clear space first.

For now, it's a waiting game.

Kucherov can become an unrestricted free agent next July, so the pressure on Tampa to find a resolution is only going to grow.

Keep a close eye on this situation.

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