Pitching a Hurricanes-Lightning Trade for Nikita Kucherov After Bombshell Report

Tampa Bay Lightning star forward Nikita Kucherov has reportedly informed the organization and his teammates that he will not re-sign and is requesting a trade. In response to reports by Elliotte Friedman, writer TJ French proposes that the Carolina Hurricanes assemble a blockbuster trade package to acquire the reigning Hart Trophy winner.

French proposes that Carolina could acquire Kucherov in a permanent trade by sending forwards William Carrier, Eric Robinson, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and prospects Bradly Nadeau and Joel Nystrom to Tampa Bay. Kucherov is in the final season of an eight-year, $76-million contract with the Lightning.