Chris Johnston says Nikita Kucherov is open to a new team and also to playing out the season with the Lightning.
The Tampa Bay star is in the final year of his contract, so every comment on his future gets picked apart. Kirill Kaprizov's wish to play with Kucherov was our story on Sunday, and the chatter hasn't slowed since.
Johnston's read this morning is that Kucherov himself is open to a lot of different ideas about what the next team could be.
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That wording matters. Nobody is describing a player who has drawn a line in the sand or demanded out. He is keeping every door open, including the one marked "stay."
On the ice, he looks like a man in no rush to leave. Saturday in Minnesota he scored a goal and added an assist in the 4-3 overtime win, fired nine shots on goal and logged 25:31, and his goal was the game-winner.
Sunday was a different story, a 4-3 loss in Winnipeg. Even so, the Lightning sit at 11-4-2, and they are 8-0-0 at home against 3-4-2 on the road.
Should the Lightning move Kucherov at all?
Not now. A team with that record and a 22-point, 17-game start from its best forward has no reason to hold a sale, and Kucherov saying he's fine playing it out takes away any pressure to act early.
Waiting also keeps the leverage where it belongs. Any team that wants him has to meet a price set by a player scoring at this pace, not one set by a looming deadline.
His deal carries a $9.5 million cap hit and expires after this season, when he is slated to hit unrestricted free agency. That is why every suitor, and every fan base, is watching how this plays out.
The next test comes Wednesday, November 11, when the Lightning visit Buffalo. Expect the questions about his future to follow him there.
Quick hits
CALGARY FLAMES: Joel Farabee made his old team pay with a shorthanded goal to tie the Flames and Flyers 3-3 at the Saddledome. Nothing stings like a former teammate scoring a shorty on you.
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INJURY: Brayden Point went down the tunnel late in the first period as the Lightning visited the Jets. Tampa Bay has not given an update, so his status is worth watching.
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NEW JERSEY DEVILS: Chris Johnston reports the Devils have announced Connor Hellebuyck will not start Tuesday's game in Winnipeg. A homecoming without the starter in net is a strange scene.
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WASHINGTON CAPITALS: Devils coach Sheldon Keefe says Hellebuyck is expected to play both games against the Capitals when New Jersey gets back. Washington knows who it will see.
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ANAHEIM DUCKS: Arturs Silovs is projected to start for the Penguins in Anaheim against the Ducks, according to pghhockeynow. Pittsburgh is sticking with him in the crease.
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