This offseason, the Tampa Bay Lighting are dealing with a similar situation that’s unfolding in Las Vegas. While Golden Knights captain Mark Stone enters training camp on an expiring contract, the Lightning have the same problem with their star wing Nikita Kucherov. Both clubs are trying to hold on to their highly productive forwards beyond next season, but both are in their mid-30’s and have fought through numerous injuries. So, Tampa and Vegas are trying to perform a balancing act of rewarding their franchise favorites but also keeping the future in mind.
Kucherov is now eligible to ink a contract extension with only one year remaining on his current deal at $9.5 million for the upcoming campaign. He’s almost certainly headed for a massive raise, but the question is, how big will it be? The NHL’s financial landscape is vastly different from what it was just a couple of months ago… something from which Kucherov is going to benefit greatly. It’s not as simple as the Lightning backing up the Brink’s truck for Kucherov. There are many factors Tampa has to consider when securing Kucherov to a long-term extension, which could complicate things for both parties. –Michael Amato on Sportsnet.ca
To be fair, we’re not comparing Kucherov and Stone’s production. Tampa’s star has recorded four straight 100+ point seasons and led the NHL in 2023-24 with 144 points. Stone has 140 in the last two seasons combined. When all is said and done, Kucherov will go down as one of the league’s best point producers in league history. Whereas Stone will go down as VGK’s most beloved captain. Either way, both will be wildly celebrated when they hang up their skates.
