Pierre LeBrun "surprised" by Nikita Kucherov development in Tampa Bay
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Nikita Kucherov enters the 2026-27 season without a contract extension, and the silence around his future with the Tampa Bay Lightning has become one of the more curious storylines heading into training camp.
NHL insider Pierre LeBrun addressed the situation directly in his latest column for The Athletic, offering both reassurance and mild surprise.
I do think Kucherov will end up re-signing. I'm surprised it's gone this long
Why Kucherov Matters So Much to Tampa Bay
Kucherov is not just a top scorer, he is the offensive engine of the Lightning roster. He is entering the final year of an eight-year, 76 million dollar deal that pays him 9.5 million annually against the cap.
Losing him, even hypothetically, would leave a massive void down the middle of Tampa Bay's lineup and cap sheet planning for years to come.
His playmaking ability and chemistry with the core group make him close to irreplaceable for a franchise still built around a championship window.
What a New Deal Could Look Like
Based on league buzz, Kucherov's next contract could land in the 12 to 17 million dollar AAV range, with some believing a shorter two- or three-year bridge near 12 to 14 million is possible depending on how the new CBA rules factor in.
The looming September 16 deadline tied to CBA changes may be playing a bigger role in the delay than previously known.
Kucherov has been a cornerstone of the Lightning's core for many years. He has won two Stanley Cups with them, and it feels unfathomable that he would play for any other team.
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