Nikita Kucherov's future with Lightning takes another dramatic turn after agent's comments

Nikita Kucherov's agent has made it clear where this is headed.

Dan Milstein told DFO Insider on Wednesday that the Tampa Bay Lightning superstar will move on once this season ends, after the relationship between the two sides broke down in a way he doesn't think can be fixed.

The agent joined Jeff Marek and David Pagnotta on the show, and he spoke warmly about Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois, saying the two have a long working history and remain on good terms.

Still, he admitted he wishes both of them had handled this past summer differently.

He did not get into specifics about what went wrong.

Kucherov asked for a trade late last week, one day after he passed Steven Stamkos to become the franchise's all-time leading scorer.

The reigning NHL MVP is 33 and on the final season of his $76 million contract, so he's set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer if he doesn't sign a new deal.

Tampa Bay has not budged publicly.

BriseBois said the club has no intention of moving him, and Kucherov has said he'll keep playing for the team until a trade happens.

His contract also lets him hand over a list of 10 teams he'd approve a deal with, which narrows the market.

Milstein pushed back hard on any talk of tension in the room.

He described Kucherov as popular with the group, someone who demands a lot from linemates but remains close with every one of them.

He also said the relationship with head coach Jon Cooper is excellent, and he plans to call out anyone posting negative comments with nothing behind them.

Tampa Bay now faces a long season of questions while teams wait.

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