7 Teams That Should Do Everything They Can to Land Kucherov

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When a player of Nikita Kucherov’s caliber hits the market, the question isn’t whether teams should call. It’s how hard they should push. The Athletic’s writers put eight teams in their most aggressive tier, saying they should go all out.

The catch is Kucherov’s July 1 free agency timeline. He’s unlikely to commit anywhere before then, so any trade partner is paying a steep price for what may be a rental. These are the teams the panel believes should accept that risk, and what stands between them and a deal.

Related: 8 Teams That Should Seriously Consider a Kucherov Trade

Chicago Blackhawks

According to Scott Powers, the Chicago Blackhawks need difference-makers, and Kucherov next to Connor Bedard is an easy sell. Whether a team still rebuilding appeals to a 33-year-old star is a fair question, and the cap picture is tighter than it used to be. But they can clear room if they commit.

Dallas Stars

Dallas has been in win-now mode for years without a title to show for it, and GM Jim Nill is known for creative deal-making. Wyatt Johnston alongside Jason Robertson or Mikko Rantanen is a tempting setup. The hurdles are the cost of a package and a roster with no Russian-born players, which could matter to Kucherov.

The Stars also need to make sure they’ve got enough money in their reserves to re-sign Robertson. He signed a one-year deal this summer for $12 million and will be seeking a raise.

Montreal Canadiens

Montreal has been hunting for a top-six forward for about a year and has plenty of cap space next season. Arpon Basu points to the relationship between coach Martin St. Louis and Kucherov through their time in Tampa. “Coach Martin St. Louis played with Kucherov in Tampa, and “…there is a strong mutual respect there. How hard should the Canadiens pursue Kucherov? As hard as humanly possible. And I have no doubt they will do just that.”

Ottawa Senators

Kucherov would supercharge Ottawa’s offense and signal that the Senators are serious in the Atlantic. Even if he were to consider them, which might be unlikely unless they dramatically outbid other teams. Julian McKenzie writes, “Can the Sens afford to pay Kucherov as much as $20 million a season? And would Kucherov want to be in Ottawa? The Sens should game-plan just in case there’s any interest. You never know.”

Seattle Kraken

The Seattle already has depth. What it lacks is a true star, and Kucherov would give a still-growing market a headliner and the top-end talent contenders usually have. The big unknown is whether he’d choose Seattle. Landing Kucherov might change the way other players view that market as a possible landing spot.

Unfortunately, if the reports are true that Kucherov wants to play with another superstar, that likely takes Seattle out of the running.

Utah Mammoth

Utah has a promising young core, prospects on the way, and healthy long-term cap flexibility. Adding Kucherov would turn a rising team into an immediate contender. Imagine an elder leader alongside one of the NHL’s best young cores. The combination could be dynamic.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs’ Cup window is narrowing, but it isn’t shut. Adding a top-five player would be a massive news story, but the logistics are messy. The Leafs are stuck in tagging salary purgatory and if they sign Kucherov, it puts them in a tagging bind with Auston Matthews.

Still, opportunities like this are rare, so they have to explore it, argues Jonas Siegel.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The panel’s advice for the Lightning is to do everything to keep him. Any trade return is unlikely to match his value, and they need him to keep their window open. If the relationship can’t be repaired, one last run together might still be the best option.

That doesn’t seem likely given everything Kucherov and his agent, Dan Milstein, are saying about Kucherov’s plans. He feels shunned, and he’s not likely to forgive.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Oilers, Jets & Lightning Revelation