Nikita Kucherov’s next contract is still unresolved, and for the Tampa Bay Lightning, that leaves a franchise cornerstone sitting on the edge of the open market.
Kucherov is entering his 14th season with the only NHL team he has ever known, but the situation is suddenly headed toward a crossroads. His $9.5MM AAV extension, signed in July 2018, expires next summer, and right now there is no new deal in place.
The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported yesterday that neither Kucherov’s agent, Dan Milstein of Gold Star Hockey, nor Lightning GM Julien Brisebois would discuss where extension talks stand. LeBrun noted that Brisebois typically stays quiet on negotiations, while Milstein, who is usually more open with updates on other players, has “reiterated” that he will not speak to the media about Kucherov.
LeBrun still believes Kucherov will re-sign in Tampa Bay, but he also said it was surprising that the two sides have not already reached an agreement. The market around the league has changed fast, with star salaries climbing even higher after extensions for players like Kirill Kaprizov and Cale Makar reset the bar.
Kucherov has the résumé to demand top-tier money of his own: he is a two-time MVP and has led the NHL in scoring three times. At the same time, he’ll be 34 when his next contract begins, which naturally gives the Lightning reason to think carefully about what comes next.
If Tampa Bay wants to keep pushing for a third Stanley Cup and a fifth Prince of Wales Trophy with Kucherov in the fold, it’s going to have to find a way to keep its star winger.
Elsewhere in the NHL contract picture, the biggest unsigned name is Anaheim Ducks star Cutter Gauthier. The 2022 No. 5 pick broke out last season with 41 goals and 69 points, then added 12 points in 12 playoff games.
LeBrun reported yesterday that “the sides have kept the dialogue going” in talks, but no agreement has been reached. He also said the five-year, $15MM AAV extension Connor Bedard signed with the Chicago Blackhawks this summer “has been brought up as a comparable for Gauthier,” though Anaheim may need to clear more room to make that kind of number work.
The Ducks currently have just over $9MM in cap space, according to PuckPedia, and could open a little more than $4.5MM by moving veteran Frank Vatrano, who posted nine points in 50 games last season.
There was also movement on the college front for St. Louis Blues prospect Luke Schairer.
Boston College confirmed earlier this week that Schairer will join the program for the 2026-27 season after previously committing to arch-rival Boston University. The Charlotte, North Carolina native was taken by St.
Louis in the third round, No. 75 overall, in this year’s draft. He’s a 6’3″, 195-pound defenseman who was viewed by public rankings as a second- to early third-round talent, with Elite Prospects placing him as high as No. 57 and McKeen’s Hockey slotting him as low as No.
- At Boston College, he’ll join a deep group of NHL prospects that includes first-round picks Oscar Hemming and Dean Letourneau.
In Other News...
Lightning Prospect Ethan Gauthier Faces A Big Year In Tampa Bays Pipeline
Ethan Gauthiers first full season with the Syracuse Crunch gave the Lightning a promising look at what they have in the young forward. The 2023 pick settled in as a solid two-way player, bringing good vision and reliable defensive work while showing enough offense to hint at more down the road, even as he adjusted to the grind of the AHL.
The next step is where things get interesting. Gauthier is expected to take on a larger role in the coming season, and that should mean more chances to drive play and boost his point total as Tampa Bay continues tracking his development. If he can keep building on the progress he made late in the year, he could become one of the more important pieces in the organizations pipeline. [Read more 🡒]