Insider Report Indirectly Links Oilers to Possible Kucherov Trade

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The blockbuster news that dropped on Friday evening has shocked everyone in the NHL. It’s also created quite the tidal wave of trade ideas involving several teams. Nikita Kucherov has informed the Tampa Bay Lightning that he won’t re-sign and he’s looking to be traded. Where he wants to go isn’t clear, but a recent report suggests he’s given the Lightning some ideas to ponder.

Emily Kaplan of ESPN reports the following:

“Negotiations between the Lightning and Nikita Kucherov’s camp remained far apart. He’s an unrestricted free agent this summer, and is due for potentially double his $9.5 million AAV. Kucherov let his teammates know of his decision today. He has a modified no-trade clause, which allows him to give a list of 10 approved teams.” This matches what several other insiders reporting. What’s unique about her report is that Kucherov may have specified the type of team he wants to join.

Kaplan adds: “Believe Kucherov has his eyes set on playing with another one of the league’s top superstars and has a few players/teams in mind. We’ll see what moves the Lightning can, or are willing to, pull off.”

What Does It Mean That Kucherov Wants to Join a Superstar?

If Kucherov is looking to play with one of the NHL’s elites, that’s an interesting wrinkle that does two things. First, it eliminates several clubs from the equation. Teams without a scorer in the top 10 or 20 might not be in the mix. Second, it shines a light on some teams more than others. The Minnesota Wild have Kirill Kaprizov. The Toronto Maple Leafs have Auston Matthews. The Colorado Avalanche have Nathan MacKinnon.

And the Edmonton Oilers have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Could Edmonton Add Kucherov?

The Lightning have released a statement on the matter. As per Tampa Bay Lightning GM Julien Brisebois:
“We are aware of the media reports regarding the future of Nikita Kucherov with the Lightning. We unequivocally have no intention of trading Nikita.”

That will slow down much of the chatter around a Kucherov trade.

However, if things go sideways and the Lightning feel like they have little option but to explore the matter, it makes sense that Kucherov might put the Oilers near the top of his list if playing with a superstar is his priority. The Oilers essentially have three of them—all in the top five of NHL scoring (one is a defenseman). He might be a rental, and at $9.5 million for this season, you can bet the Oilers would try to make it work.

The idea of Kucherov joining the Oilers and creating some sort of super team is obviously exciting, and he’d be a natural fit in the Oilers’ top six. He could go first line with McDavid, moving Draisaitl down to the second line and to center.

What Would the Oilers Have to Trade?

The question becomes: do the Oilers have enough to offer that other teams won’t beat? The answer is likely no. However, much of that will depend on Kucherov’s plans, and whether he intends to sign an extension with the team he’s traded to. If not, that takes several teams out of the mix because they won’t be looking to spend big on a pure rental. That situation could help the Oilers.

But do a first-rounder, Matt Savoie, Isaac Howard, and other pieces get it done? Probably not and then the salary becomes a factor. Edmonton would have to offload some money, like a Jake Walman (who holds a full no-move) or a Trent Frederic (good luck)

It’s definitely worth a phone call. The odds it happens would be slim, even if Kucherov chose the Oilers over every other option.

Interestingly, back when the Lightning were swept by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the playoffs, Kucherov trade talks popped up. The Edmonton Oilers were linked to the trade, with Draisaitl going the other way. Obviously, that never happened.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Podcast – Ep. 39: Kucherov Trade, Larkin Walks, and Hellebuyck Dominoes