Nikita Kucherov enters final year of contract with Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov begins the 2026-27 season entering the final year of his current contract. The 33-year-old winger returns after a 2025-26 campaign in which he recorded 44 goals and 86 assists for 130 total points across 76 games. His performance last season resulted in his second career Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player. Kucherov has surpassed 113 points in each of his last four seasons with the franchise. Projections from The Hockey News Magazine place his expected point total for the upcoming campaign at 131. The team enters the season relying on his continued offensive production as the primary catalyst for their lineup.

• 12:22 PMYahoo Sports — Lightning 2026-27 Player Preview: Nikita Kucherov