Report: Nikita Kucherov 'Would Consider' Maple Leafs Amid Trade Request

Superstar right winger Nikita Kucherov has requested a trade out of the Tampa Bay Lightning, reported on Friday. Though Lightning GM Julien BriseBois said they "unequivocally have no intention of trading Nikita," the reigning Hart Trophy winner has a 10-team trade list in any way the situation plays out. Regardless of BriseBois' intention not to trade him, Kucherov's camp made it clear that he wouldn't be re-signing with the club, and he's in the final year of his contract.

"More than the money, I think that the reason we're here today has been the pace of the negotiations, or lack thereof," Elliotte Friedman said of the Lightning's urgency to re-sign Kucherov, and the main reason for his trade request.

On Sportsnet's 'Saturday Headlines' segment with Friedman, he further reported that of the Canadian teams that could be on his 10-team trade list, he'd be open to joining the Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as the Montreal Canadiens.

"I do believe that if Tampa was going to trade him, and Montreal and Toronto could come up with a package that Tampa would like, those are two teams, among many, he would consider," he said.

Kucherov's expiring deal carries a $9.5-million salary cap hit. And beyond his pending UFA status, he's expected to earn north of $18 million per season on his next deal.

Kucherov, 33, has been one of the league's top players of the past several years, winning two Hart Trophies, three Art Ross Trophies, two Ted Lindsay Awards, and a pair of Stanley Cups with Tampa Bay.

He has six 100-point seasons in his career, marking at least 110 points in the last four straight years. He also has over 1,100 career points in the NHL and is fourth all-time in scoring among Russian-born players.

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