Lightning Coach Cooper: Kucherov Committed This Season Amid Trade Request

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper affirmed Saturday that star right winger Nikita Kucherov is "committed" to the team for the current season, despite reports of a trade request surfacing Friday.

Cooper addressed the situation Saturday, stating that Kucherov "wants to be a part of this team for this season, and he is committed to be with the group that loves him and the group he loves." The coach, however, did not comment on potential future seasons.

Kucherov, who is an unrestricted free agent next summer, was in the lineup for the Lightning's game against the Nashville Predators on Saturday. As of Saturday's game, he had accumulated 15 points with four goals and 11 assists in 12 games this season, ranking second on the team.

Kucherov, 33, has played his entire 13-season NHL career with the Lightning, contributing to two Stanley Cup victories and a decade of team success under Cooper. He is in the final year of his contract, which is worth $76 million.

Reports emerged Friday night that Kucherov had informed the Lightning that he would not sign another contract with them. The three-time scoring champion will turn 34 at the start of next season. He also possesses a limited no-trade clause and has provided Tampa Bay with a list of teams to which he would approve a trade.

Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois released a statement Friday night acknowledging the media reports. "We are aware of the media reports regarding the future of Nikita Kucherov with the Lightning," the statement read. "We unequivocally have no intention of trading Nikita."

Despite the off-ice developments, Cooper indicated that team goals remain unchanged. "I will sit here and tell you nothing has changed in what our goals are this year. Just, maybe, the context of how it is going to go about," Cooper said. "What happens after our season is over, that’s Kuch’s right and he has earned that right for whatever happens. For us, it probably made the team stronger."

Pontus Holmberg, a second-line winger, is also set to become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the season.