Lightning’s Kucherov not focusing on contract extension right now

It has been a busy month in the NHL for player contracts, with several high-profile teams and players beating the buzzer on Tuesday with new contracts that conform to the rules of the league’s current collective bargaining agreement before the new CBA went into effect Wednesday.

One big name who has not signed a contract extension this summer is Tampa Bay Lightning star winger Nikita Kucherov, who has one year remaining on his current contract at a salary cap hit of $9.5 million.

Kucherov became eligible to sign an extension on July 1, and he addressed the situation on Wednesday speaking with reporters after his arrival to training camp.

“My mind is trying to help the team this year,” Kucherov told the media, including team reporter Gabby Shirley. “I control what I can control, and I’ll do my best with what I can on the ice, and that’s what I’m focusing on right now.”

The phenomenally cerebral and skilled winger is now 33 years of age and is coming off one of the best seasons of his illustrious career. Kucherov earned his second Hart Trophy win as the league’s most valuable player thanks to a 130-point season across 76 regular season games.

In the last five full NHL regular seasons (excluding the two pandemic-shortened years), Kucherov has put up at least 113 points and has finished no lower than 12th in Hart Trophy voting, including top-3 finishes in four of the five campaigns.

There is no question that the Russian winger belongs in the discussion alongside Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Leon Draisaitl as being the best offensive forward in the league, and with the salary cap rising immensely over the past two years, he should be due a sizable raise on his next contract.

Without an extension, he would become an unrestricted free agent next July 1, but Tampa Bay general manager Julien BriseBois and his front office would certainly prefer it not get to that point.