NHL Rumor Mill – November 3, 2026

Nikita Kucherov will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after informing the Tampa Bay Lightning he would not sign an extension and wanted a trade. The Lightning have a 10-team trade list for Kucherov, which he submitted in May or June, though LeBrun reports at least 25 teams have internally discussed acquiring him. Kucherov told the press that a lack of communication from the team's general manager led to his decision not to re-sign and request a trade.