Tampa Bay’s contract standoff with Nikita Kucherov is staying behind closed doors for now, but the big picture is easy to read: the Lightning want to keep him, the winger is eligible for a massive payday, and both sides are still in the middle of the dance.
Kucherov is in the final season of his current deal and can become an unrestricted free agent next July. His eight-year, $76 million contract runs out next summer, and the expectation is that his next agreement will come with a hefty raise. The exact number hasn’t been revealed, but there’s a sense he could be aiming to nearly double his salary.
Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois and Kucherov’s agent Dan Milstein have been talking about the next contract, though neither is saying anything publicly. The situation has been described as bumpy so far, even if there’s no sign either side is in a hurry to force a decision.
For now, the door remains open on several timelines. Kucherov could skate through the season without an extension and pick things back up later, but a multi-year deal before the season starts - or even midway through the 2026-27 campaign - is still on the table.
“Every option is available, right now,” a source with direct knowledge of the situation told TFP this week.
Kucherov has already received a $3 million bonus this season and is due another $4 million in salary for the rest of the campaign. His contract also includes a 10-team trade list.
Last season, Kucherov was still producing at a ridiculous level, piling up 44 goals and 86 assists for 130 points in 76 games. That tied his career high in goals and marked the second time he’s reached 130 points in a season.
In Other News...
Lightning Bubble Players Enter A Crucial Stretch Before Florida Showdown
The Lightnings preseason trip through Nashville offered a reminder that the roster picture is still very much in flux, even after an overtime loss to the Predators. Jeffrey Viel accounted for both Tampa Bay goals, but the bigger takeaway for the staff came off the ice, where the club began trimming its camp and narrowing the competition as the calendar turns toward the final exhibition slate.
There is still plenty of sorting to do before Florida becomes the next checkpoint, with more than a full camps worth of bodies still in the mix and some tough decisions looming at every position. For players on the bubble, this is the part of September that can define whether they are staying in the room or heading back to junior, and the Lightning will keep using the remaining dress rehearsals to separate the hopefuls from the survivors. [Read more 🡒]
Lightning Preseason Is Already Raising One Big Roster Question
The preseason has only just started, but Tampa Bay has already gotten a useful look at some fresh faces. After splitting two games with Nashville, the Lightning have seen early signs from newcomers John Carlson, Ilya Mikheyev and Jeffery Viel, while prospect Sam O'Reilly has also flashed enough to stand out in a group that is still sorting itself out. With the roster still in evaluation mode, those first impressions matter, especially for a team trying to blend experience with younger depth.
Conor Geekie has been part of that conversation too, even if his value has shown up in different ways from night to night. He delivered the game-winner in the opener and then handled himself well in the faceoff circle in the rematch, a reminder that preseason for a player like him is about more than just scoring chances. The next test comes against Florida in a back-to-back series, and with roles still up for grabs, these games should sharpen the competition even more. [Read more 🡒]
Lightning Just Made A Clear Goalie Decision Behind Vasilevskiy
The Lightning have moved to settle one of their more practical preseason questions behind Andrei Vasilevskiy, placing Jonas Johansson on waivers and clearing the runway for a new backup plan. It is the latest sign that Tampa Bay is sorting out its goaltending depth with the regular season closing in, and it leaves Dennis Hildeby in position to occupy the No. 2 job behind the franchise centerpiece.
General manager Julien BriseBois said the club is working with Johansson and his agent to find the best landing spot, which gives this a familiar early-season feel for a team that has to balance roster decisions with player opportunity. If Johansson clears waivers, Syracuse is the obvious fallback, but that could create a crowded situation in the AHL and keep this storyline from resolving quickly. [Read more 🡒]