Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov has demanded a trade out of town, and according to Kevin Weekes, a private meeting changed the course of his career.
Over the last couple of days, much has been made about Kucherov demanding a trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning, with whom the forward has won two Stanley Cups.
This was shocking news for many around the league. Especially when you consider that, by and large, the Lightning have been one of the best-run organizations in the league.
However, it quickly became clear that this was all about the money. With guys like Cale Makar making $20 million per season, Kucherov was looking for something similar. Unfortunately, for him, the Lightning were not willing to play ball.
Nikita Kucherov's secret meeting in Nashville
According to reporter Kevin Weekes, Kucherov and his agent, Dan Milstein, sat down in Nashville for an in-person meeting with Lightning general manager Julien Brisebois and head coach Jon Cooper.
The most they offered Kucherov was $15 million per season, which simply was not enough. However, Kucherov made it clear he is playing out his contract.
I'm told 1st offer was around 13M, revised offer 15M only after Carlsson 18M offer sheet & Makar 20M deal. Kucherov is a Hall Of Fame , has a great relationship w HC Cooper, will play out his contract, told his teammates and club he won't re sign in Tampa. There were 4 people in the room during meeting in Nashville; Kucherov, his agent @HockeyAgent1, GM Brisebois and HC Cooper.
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He simply has too much respect for his teammates and head coach to put them in the same position as Dylan Larkin in Detroit or Connor Hellebuyck in Winnipeg.
Since demanding this trade, Kucherov has yet to make his 10-team trade list official, although there are rumblings that he is interested in the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Whatever the case may be, the fact remains that this is one of the biggest trade requests of the year, and that is saying given what we've seen over the past couple of months.
Can the Tampa Bay Lightning resolve this issue with Nikita Kucherov?
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