Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov has interest in the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Elliotte Friedman believes to have the timeline for a potential move.
Following Nikita Kucherov's trade request from the Tampa Bay Lightning, numerous franchises were named as potential destinations for the two-time Stanley Cup champion.
The Toronto Maple Leafs were one of those teams, as Kucherov is hoping to play with a superstar like Auston Matthews. Of course, this would be a difficult move for the Leafs to make, considering the cap implications of Kucherov wanting between $18 and $20 million per season.
There have also been numerous trade proposals surfacing on social media. One even included Kirill Marchenko going to the Lightning.
However, the Lightning have made it clear that they don't want to trade Kucherov. Instead, they are going to keep him and try to repair the relationship.
Elliotte Friedman delivers Kucherov update
According to word from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, if Kucherov were to leave Tampa Bay, it would have to be on July 1st as part of free agency.
This means the Maple Leafs are a lot more likely to end up with Kucherov next summer than in the middle of the season. They might not have to give up assets to get him. Just a lot of money.
-
Friedman has also reported that there are over 20 NHL teams that are trying to acquire Kucherov right now. It is a crowded field, and the Leafs are going to have to maneuver around that reality.
In fact, it is believed that their division rival, the Montreal Canadiens, are actually the more likely team to end up securing Kucherov's services.
The Canadiens have been going after every single superstar on the market, and they would love to have a guy like Kucherov in their Stanley Cup window.
For now, the Leafs and their fans can only play the waiting game as this situation continues to play out.
Do you believe Nikita Kucherov would ever join the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Elvis Merzlikins gives the Toronto Maple Leafs an ultimatum