Lightning star Nikita Kucherov reportedly requests trade from Tampa Bay; GM says they have 'no intention' of trading him

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov has reportedly requested a trade, becoming the latest high-profile NHL player to ask to leave his longtime home.

Kucherov, 33, has informed the Lightning that he will not be re-signing with the team, per multiple reports.

Kucherov also told his teammates about the move, reportedly sharing the news while on the team plane, per The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun . Tampa Bay plays the Nashville Predators in Tennessee on Saturday.

In a statement on Friday, general manager Julien Brisebois said that the team is "aware" of reports that Kucherov wants out but said that they don't have plans to trade him.

"We unequivocally have no intention of trading Nikita," Brisebois wrote.

Kucherov, the reigning Hart Trophy winner (the NHL's league MVP trophy), is currently in the final year of an eight-year, $76 million contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. However, talks on a potential extension have not progressed much, per multiple reports, leading to Kucherov's request.

Per LeBrun , Kucherov will continued playing with Tampa Bay while awaiting a trade.

The Russian winger has spent his entire NHL career with the Lightning, after being selected by the team 58th overall in the 2011 draft. He became an alternate captain for the team in 2022.

Kucherov has won the Hart Trophy twice in his career (2019, 2026) and helped lead Tampa Bay to two Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021. He's led the league in scoring three times, taking home the Art Ross Trophy in 2019, 2024 and 2025.

Despite his recent success, Kucherov is looking to find a new home after 15 years. Per LeBrun , Kucherov does not have a full no-trade clause in his contract, and has provided a 10-team list of approved destinations to the Lightning.

Kucherov is just the latest player to express his desire to be traded: Last week, the Winnipeg Jets traded Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils, ending a saga where Hellebuyck got suspended and lost $930,000 of his salary. Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings are in the middle of a similar saga with forward Dylan Larkin, with the team suspending Larkin on Thursday amid his demands for a trade.