David Pagnotta expects Nikita Kucherov to stay with the Lightning until July 1st, a timeline that shapes the trade chatter.
The Kucherov story has been moving all week. Reports say he is open to a new team, and the rumor mill has been busy.
Tampa Bay plays in Buffalo today after Sunday's 4-3 loss in Winnipeg. Business as usual on the ice, with a franchise forward at the center of a swirl off it.
As we reported Monday, Chris Johnston's report on Kucherov's openness to a new team said he is open to a move and also to playing out the season in Tampa. That was already a split message.
Pagnotta's comment lands on the quieter side of that split.
Pagnotta said, in remarks dated November 4, that he expects Kucherov to be in Tampa "basically until July 1st."
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The words "as of now" matter, because they leave room for things to change. Still, this is a clear lean from a well-connected insider that a mid-season blockbuster is not what he is expecting.
Will the Lightning really move Kucherov before July?
Nothing in the sheet says they have to, and plenty says they shouldn't. Tampa Bay sits at 11-4-2 and has won all eight of its home games.
Kucherov has 22 points in 17 games. You don't sell a player producing like that when your team is winning.
His contract is the other piece. The deal runs through 2026-27 and he is set to become an unrestricted free agent at expiry, which is why the offseason timeline keeps coming up.
Pierre LeBrun added Tuesday that Kucherov has no shortlist of destinations and hasn't started thinking about one, as covered in our look at LeBrun's Kucherov update. A player with no list, a team that is winning and an insider pointing to July: the trade market for him looks thin right now.
Rival teams will keep calling anyway. Whether Tampa Bay listens before the spring is the part nobody has answered yet.
Quick hits
NEW JERSEY DEVILS: Johnathan Kovacevic left Tuesday's loss in Winnipeg favoring his left knee, and the Devils have no update. Nobody likes the word "knee" attached to a defenseman's name.
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MONTREAL CANADIENS: Cole Caufield's slashing penalty with 53 seconds left in regulation cost Montreal in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Wild tonight. Fans are not happy, and it's easy to see why.
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WINNIPEG JETS: Dawson Mercer scored twice against his old team, including the game-winner, in a 4-2 Jets win over the Devils. Sweet revenge at home.
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EDMONTON OILERS: Jason Gregor expects Tristan Jarry to start Wednesday against the Flyers, and he points to a practice clue. Goalie watchers have their answer, at least for now.
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DETROIT RED WINGS: Ryan Hana reports a scrum broke out after the final horn in St. Louis, starting with Lucas Raymond and Blues defenseman Philip Broberg. Tempers were still hot after the game.
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This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
Should the Lightning keep Nikita Kucherov through the season instead of trading him?
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