Kucherov Trade Buzz: One Team’s Inside Edge Revealed

The Chicago Blackhawks have emerged as one of the most intriguing potential landing spots for Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov.

ESPN's Greg Wyshynski named the Blackhawks as one of six teams that could pursue Kucherov if he leaves Tampa Bay.

Chicago's case was laid out bluntly in a new article published Thursday.

Wyshynski wrote that the Blackhawks are in desperate times.

He said those desperate times call for $20 million average annual value contract offers to two-time league MVPs.

The Blackhawks are currently 31st in the league after 15 games.

General manager Kyle Davidson's job security is in question if things don't turn around.

Wyshynski noted that Chicago does have a star player in Connor Bedard.

Bedard, according to the article, would "probably submit to some dark magic ritual to conjure this free agent signing."

The question Wyshynski raised is what collection of young players the Blackhawks would move for Kucherov that the Lightning would identify as their next Brandon Hagel.

Chicago is so terrible, Wyshynski wrote, that Kucherov might never extend there anyway.

But he added that Davidson needs to "back up the truck and find out."

The article first raised the idea that the Blackhawks could wait out the process and end up with Kucherov in free agency.

Then Wyshynski acknowledged that a trade might actually fit the reality that Chicago needs to improve quickly.

If the Lightning are not open for a trade, that part of the discussion might not matter.

But the Blackhawks are not in a position to wait passively and find out.

The one major problem is that Kucherov and the Blackhawks do not fit on their competitive timeline.

Kucherov is 33 years old and not getting any younger.

He would likely want to join a win-now team.

The Blackhawks, meanwhile, are still trying to build up from a currently rough place.

Kucherov would definitely help the cause, but that may not be what he is seeking at this point in his career.

The situation in Tampa Bay has deteriorated significantly.

Kucherov's agent Dan Milstein made that clear during Wednesday's episode of DFO Insider with Jeff Marek and David Pagnotta.

Milstein said things between the two sides had gone too far to be repaired.

"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 what went wrong.

He pointed to the summer and admitted he wished he and Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois had handled things differently.

"I can't say anything bad about (Lightning GM Julien BriseBois)," 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 looking back at this past summer, I wish that both him and I did things a little bit different."

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

The comments come after Kucherov told BriseBois he wanted a trade and did not intend to re-sign.

BriseBois has maintained that Tampa Bay has no intention of moving him.

He said the team "unequivocally have no intention of trading Nikita."

Milstein was equally firm in defending Kucherov's relationships 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."

"(Coach) Jon Cooper and Nikita Kucherov have a phenomenal relationship."

Kucherov has spent his entire NHL career in Tampa Bay since the Lightning selected him 58th overall in the 2011 draft.

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

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

The 33-year-old can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

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

Milstein has not revealed what happened between the sides over the summer.

But his comments make his position clear.

He sees Kucherov's future elsewhere once the season ends.

Other teams are also circling.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been mentioned as a potential suitor.