Now! The NHL superstar wants to change scenery - the club management gives a firm response

Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov, 33, wants to change teams in the NHL.

Sportsnet’s insider reporter Elliotte Friedman reported, citing multiple sources, that Kucherov has requested a trade from Tampa Bay. The forward has also informed the team management and his teammates that he does not intend to sign a new contract with the Lightning.

So far, it is unclear what has led Kucherov to seek an exit from the team.

The current contract of Kucherov, who was named the NHL’s Most Valuable Player last season, expires next summer. He is playing the final year of his eight-year, $76 million contract. The average annual value of the contract is $9.5 million.

Without a new contract, Kucherov would become a free agent this summer.

The Russian star recently became the all-time points leader for the Lightning, surpassing Steven Stamkos.

However, the Tampa Bay management is not ready to part with their star player. The team’s GM Julien BriseBois addressed the situation in a public statement on Friday night.

– We are aware of the media reports regarding Nikita Kucherov’s future with the Lightning. We have no intention of trading Nikita, BriseBois stated.

Kucherov also does not intend to pressure the team by sitting out games. According to TSN reporter Pierre LeBrun, the forward plans to continue playing with the Lightning while the situation is being resolved.

Kucherov’s player agent Dan Milstein declined to comment on the matter to Sportsnet.

Kucherov, who has spent his entire NHL career with Tampa Bay, has played 891 regular season games over 14 seasons, recording 405+734=1,139 points. In the playoffs, he has accumulated 159 games and 177 points (54+123).

Kucherov has celebrated two Stanley Cup victories with the Lightning.

This season, the Russian forward has recorded 15 points in 12 games with 4+11=15.