Why Lightning may have little to worry about with Kucherov’s future

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov enters the final season of his contract without an extension, but reports indicate little cause for concern. According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, Kucherov has no intention of entering the open market, and all parties involved reportedly remain confident that a new deal will eventually be reached.

Bolts by the Bay's Harrison Smajovits argues that the Lightning possess greater financial flexibility than in past offseasons. Smajovits notes that a projected salary cap increase to $113.5 million next season will provide Tampa Bay the necessary room to retain their star forward.