Kucherov’s agent says it’s time to leave Tampa.

Nikita Kucherov's agent delivers blunt verdict on Lightning future: "It's time to move on."

Dan Milstein, the agent for Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov, made a stunning admission during Wednesday's episode of DFO Insider with Jeff Marek and David Pagnotta.

Milstein said the relationship between Kucherov and the Lightning has deteriorated to the point where a split is inevitable.

"Things went horribly wrong beyond the repair probably at this point in time, and it's unfortunate but it's at the conclusion of the season it's time to move on," Milstein said.

He did not explain exactly what went wrong.

But he pointed to the summer as the moment things began to fall apart.

"Looking back at this past summer, I wish that both him and I did things a little bit different," Milstein said.

"And I'll just leave it at that, guys."

The comments come after reports that Kucherov told Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois he wanted a trade and did not intend to re-sign with the team.

BriseBois has publicly stated that Tampa Bay has no intention of moving the star winger.

"We unequivocally have no intention of trading Nikita," BriseBois has said.

But Milstein's comments suggest the situation is far from settled.

Despite the breakdown in the relationship with management, Milstein was firm in defending Kucherov's standing inside the locker room.

"Nikita is very much liked by everybody," Milstein said.

"Yes, he pushes everybody around him to be better, but I will call out everyone who is going to be posting negative derogatory comments that have absolutely no substance. So Nikita is very good friends with all of his teammates."

He also praised the relationship between Kucherov and Lightning head coach Jon Cooper.

"Jon Cooper and Nikita Kucherov have a phenomenal relationship," Milstein said.

The issue, according to Milstein, is not with teammates or coaches.

It is with the front office.

Milstein was careful not to criticize BriseBois personally.

"I can't say anything bad about him," Milstein said.

"I believe we're on very, very good terms. We've done business for a very long time. He's done a very good job and he's been very successful at his job for the Tampa Bay Lightning over the years."

But the agent made it clear that whatever happened over the summer cannot be undone.

Kucherov, 33, has spent his entire NHL career in Tampa Bay.

The Lightning selected him 58th overall in the 2011 NHL Draft.

He helped the team win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021.

He is currently in the final season of the eight-year, $76 million contract he signed in 2018.

That contract carries an average annual value of $9.5 million.

Kucherov can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2027.

According to Daily Faceoff, his contract also requires him to submit a list of 10 teams to which he would accept a trade.

This means Kucherov has some control over where he could end up, if the Lightning decide to move him before the trade deadline or over the summer.

Several teams have already been linked to Kucherov in trade speculation.

The Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Utah Mammoth have all been mentioned as potential landing spots.

ESPN's Greg Wyshynski named the Blackhawks as one of six teams that could pursue Kucherov.

Wyshynski wrote that Chicago is in desperate need of a star and that general manager Kyle Davidson's job could depend on turning the team around.

"Desperate times call for $20 million average annual value contract offers to two-time league MVPs," Wyshynski wrote.

"GM Kyle Davidson isn't long for that chair if things don't start to turn it around in Chicago."

The Blackhawks have a star in Connor Bedard, but the team was 31st in the league after 15 games this season.

Toronto also has a potential path to Kucherov.

The Maple Leafs have already brought in two former Lightning players: Nick Paul and Darren Raddysh.

Raddysh made his enthusiasm clear when asked about the possibility of a reunion with Kucherov.

"That would be unbelievable to get him," Raddysh said.