Tampa Facing Similar Situation As Vegas With Aging Star Point Producer

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.

However, how do Tampa and Vegas bridge the gap between a highly impactful player in their mid-30’s to a worn-down father-timed-out veteran?

It’s reasonable for Kucherov to demand $18 million like Carlsson and Celebrini got, given his age, but it also doesn’t seem likely he’ll be content just to accept a raise of $2 million or so. Leon Draisaitl will be 31 in October and will be making $14 million per season for the next seven years. Kucherov would have a strong case to demand more than $14 million, given his production and the current market. One thing the Lightning do have going for them is that they play in a no-income-tax state. They’ve used that to their advantage before, securing good value deals for players like Brayden Point and Brandon Hagel. That may help them shave Kucherov’s new number down a little, but that still likely won’t be enough to get them a significant discount in this new financial world. –Amato on Sportsnet.ca

Stone can ask for a raise all he wants, but unlike Kucherov, it’s not as much of a sure thing that he’ll get a massive one. VGK’s captain has averaged close to a point per game in his eight seasons in Southern Nevada. If healthy, it wouldn’t be shocking if Stone matched or exceeded those numbers over the next few seasons, which is why it’s vital for Vegas to lock in their third-highest scorer in team history (soon to be 2nd and maybe even 1st if he can pick up seven points on William Karlsson).

Kucherov, though, is in a different situation entirely. He’ll be 34 when his next deal kicks in, and there’s a good chance he’ll be looking for as much term as possible. That type of deal could come with some risk for the Lightning, as giving Kucherov something in the $13 million or $14 million range per season could end up being troublesome on the back end of the contract. Even in a rising cap world, that would be a big number for Tampa to absorb in year six or seven of a Kucherov deal when he’s 39 or 40 years old if his play starts to fall off substantially.

Keep in mind, Kucherov could theoretically still sign an eight-year deal up until Sept. 16. That’s an avenue that would probably lower his AAV but take him to age 41 in the final year of the deal. It seems unlikely that Tampa would want to go down that road, but adding term to the contract to bring Kucherov’s number down could be tempting if it allows the Lightning more roster flexibility to keep their competitive window open. –Amato on Sportsnet.ca

It’s possible Tampa utilizes the eight-year offer before September 16th, however, it’s highly unlikely Vegas would come close to considering that many seasons for Stone. Again, it’s important to reiterate that Kucherov is an annual Hart trophy candidate and statistically a much more superior player. However, Stone’s importance to the Golden Knights is second to none. Maybe it’s three, maybe it’s four years. Whatever cost and term they land on will hopefully keep the Golden Knights captain in Las Vegas until the day he retires.