An absolutely shocking report surfaced last week across the National Hockey League when the news was revealed that Nikita Kucherov wants out of Tampa Bay.
Now, while this doesn’t guarantee the reigning Hart Trophy winner will be dealt, it’s caused a massive ripple effect in the rumor mill across the league, with several outlets pouring out predictions and ‘landing’ spots for Kucherov.
And to the surprise of no one, the Carolina Hurricanes are featured as a top landing spot due to their contending status.
Do the Carolina Hurricanes need Nikita Kucherov? Not really, as the defending Stanley Cup champions are 12-2-2 through their first 16 games and are absolutely tormenting the NHL right now.
However, with that being said…. it’s Nikita Kucherov, so let’s take a look at what a ‘realistic’ trade pitch could look like to land Kucherov in Carolina.
Building a Hurricanes-Lightning Trade Pitch for Nikita Kucherov
Here is a trade outline that could be strong enough to send Nikita Kucherov to the Carolina Hurricanes:
- Hurricanes receive: Nikita Kucherov
- Lightning receive: F Eric Robinson, F Taylor Hall, D Alexander Nikishin, prospects Bradly Nadeau and Felix Unger-Sorum
That’s a five-player package that includes two of the Hurricanes’ top nine forwards, a promising defenseman in Nikishin, and Carolina’s top 2 prospects.
While the Canes may not want to necessarily offload their top 2 prospects, that’s what it would take to land Kucherov, and even this 5-player proposed deal may not be strong enough.
BleacherReport.com recently named eight trade destinations for Kucherov, and the Hurricanes were featured. NHL writer Adam Herman wrote:
“Carolina also has a couple of top prospects in Bradly Nadeau and Felix Unger-Sorum. Winger Nadeau in particular has excelled in the AHL and is a pure scorer with 30-goal upside in the NHL. The Hurricanes have struggled to find a full-time position for him with the big club, and they’d be willing to move him for an impact player even below the standard of Kucherov.”
What’s the Latest on Nikita Kucherov Trade Rumors?
Considering the recent trade request by Kucherov is still pretty fresh, there haven’t really been any real reports of where he could end up, or teams that are seriously interested in trading for him.
Every NHL team should obviously be interested in Kucherov’s services, as he’s undoubtedly a top 3 forward in the league, but what I mean by that is this is a complex situation, and just because Kucherov requested a trade doesn’t mean the Tampa Bay Lightning are going to grant his request.
This is an ongoing saga, and there’s certainly going to be a ton of spin-off reports from organizations like the Hurricanes who could have a real shot at landing Kucherov, who is in the last year of his contract, which is likely the reason he requested a trade.
Tampa Bay tried to nickel-and-dime their superstar by not signing him to an extension before the season, and now he’s pissed off, which he has every right to be after providing several exceptional statistical seasons for the Lightning.
Carolina Hurricanes Trade Pitch Lands Nikita Kucherov for 5 Players