Rumor: Nikita Kucherov considering return to KHL

[SLAPSHOT723]

Apparently everyone loves TB so much they are all going to take a discount.

I would love TB too. Warm weather, Cup contenders, all around great organization.

 

[Theokritos]

If I understand it correctly (and a Russian native speaker can correct me if I'm wrong) Sports Express (link in OP) reports the following:

As Sports Express has learned, Russian national forward Nikita Kucherov may sign a contract with CSKA and spend the next season in the KHL. His negotations on a new contract with Tampa Bay have reached a stall, there is no agreement to date and the army team [CSKA] is interested in strengthening their offence and attracting a team of stars, especially after the departure of Alexander Radulov and Nikita Zaitsev.

Sounds like CSKA is ready to make him an offer (or already has made one) after learning he hasn't come to terms with the Lightning. But it doesn't actually say he is considering a move.

 

[buttman*]

Ever heard of taxes? They don't have to pay them in Florida.


I wouldn't go near Nylander for Kucherov.

We are all aware hotshot.

Guess he'll sign for the 6X6 because you know...

 

[M.C.G. 31]

Usually when stuff like this comes out you believe there's a hint of truth that it could happen, but in this case I'm going to go with virtually no chance and it's nothing but a negotiation tactic by his agent. Kucherov is staying put.

 

[Boxscore]

Tamps needs to cut bait with Bishop and Callahan and get Kucherov signed, he's the most important forward on the team IMO. Bishop can be replaced by Vasilevskiy and Callahan needs to go... even if it takes tying a 2nd round pick to him for someone to take him. Tampa needs to find the money to keep Kucherov.

 

[Hictor Vedman*]

We are all aware hotshot.

Guess he'll sign for the 6X6 because you know...

Never said that he would sign that deal. But I think we all know that he WILL sign in Tampa. I don't even care if it's 6x7(aav). We'll make the necessary moves to accommodate one of our most important players.

 

[Hictor Vedman*]

Tamps needs to cut bait with Bishop and Callahan and get Kucherov signed, he's the most important forward on the team IMO. Bishop can be replaced by Vasilevskiy and Callahan needs to go... even if it takes tying a 2nd round pick to him for someone to take him. Tampa needs to find the money to keep Kucherov.

No, they don't. They need to get rid of one: Filppula, Bishop, Callahan (good luck). Getting rid of Garrison would also help.

The two easiest of those choices are Filps and Bishop. Filps needs to waive his no trade, as would Callahan, who has no value with the contract that he makes. A team like NJ would love a guy like Filppula in their top two.

I think trading Bishop is a bad idea. I am not ready to give Vasy the keys to the city after one playoff series.

Easiest solution is to keep waiting, throw Cally on LTIR, and that will buy Yzerman a few months to go over the cap, sign Kucherov, and then find a trade suitor for one of the aforementioned guys. Won't be hard to find one a few months into the season when players are getting injured and whatnot.

 

[Boxscore]

I think trading Bishop is a bad idea. I am not ready to give Vasy the news to the city after one playoff series.

The Bolts need to cut the Bishop cord soon, regardless. After this season, there's no way on earth they're going to re-sign him to a 5.5 or 6+ million deal. Vasilevskiy proved capable of taking over... all he needs is more seasoning. And he comes with the pedigree - he's not some journeyman netminder who popped out of nowhere - he's been labelled a future "elite" starter in the NHL for years. Go all-in with the kid and part ways with Bishop... word is they were close to moving him to Calgary around the draft until Bishop stated his asking price for a contract extension (was rumored to be north of 6 mil).

 

[Hictor Vedman*]

The Bolts need to cut the Bishop cord soon, regardless. After this season, there's no way on earth they're going to re-sign him to a 5.5 or 6+ million deal. Vasilevskiy proved capable of taking over... all he needs is more seasoning. And he comes with the pedigree - he's not some journeyman netminder who popped out of nowhere - he's been labelled a future "elite" starter in the NHL for years. Go all-in with the kid and part ways with Bishop... word is they were close to moving him to Calgary around the draft until Bishop stated his asking price for a contract extension (was rumored to be north of 6 mil).

That's true, but I think we should play Bishop and Vasilevskiy equally until around the deadline. By that time, Vasilevskiy will show if he can be counted on for a long period of time, and we can make a trade to accommodate that. However, if he simply can't, then maybe it would be best to simply trade Vasy and run with Bishop. Understand that I absolutely love Bishop, and don't want to see him traded. He is a huge part of the success this team has been having over the last few years, and he doesn't deserve to be blacklisted just because of a stupid salary cap.

We will see what Vasy can do though.

As for the Calgary trade, Yzerman already went on record and said that he wouldn't call it "close".

 

[Kshahdoo]

Definitely a negotiating tactic. He will re-sign in Tampa.

It won't work though, if Yzerman thinks the same. So to work, this tactics must have some chance to happen.

 

[CanadienShark]

I suspect similar to this one, that Galchenyuk to the KHL rumour was fluff. The kid has lived in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Russia. It's just that last one, plus his last name falls into the classic narrative. He played minor in Chicago before being drafted to the OHL and appears to spend most of his time in North America.

I'm also not sure how the KHL does it with rights, but Atlant drafted him, and I'm assuming if he was going anywhere it would be Dinamo Minsk.

Not to mention Galchenyuk himself identifies himself as American.

 

[CatchyTune]

Ever heard of taxes? They don't have to pay them in Florida.


I wouldn't go near Nylander for Kucherov.

Good. Neither would I

 

[DFC]

If an NHL team offer-sheeted Kucherov, Yzerman would match. Basically the same thing here.

Yzerman doesn't make decisions until it's time to make a decision.

 

[42]

If an NHL team offer-sheeted Kucherov, Yzerman would match. Basically the same thing here.

Yzerman doesn't make decisions until it's time to make a decision.

Wait, I thought only NHL teams can make offer sheets.

 

[42]

Good. Neither would I

Kucherov>>Nylander

 

[DFC]

Wait, I thought only NHL teams can make offer sheets.

Same thing applies. If Kucherov comes to Yzerman and says, "The KHL offered me X to play, and I think I might take it," Yzerman will make an offer that's at least competitive. Same as he would if an NHL team were to offer sheet Kucherov. If we're sure Yzerman would match an NHL offer sheet (and we are), then there's no reason to believe he wouldn't match an offer made by a team from another league.

 

[Benedict Kovalchuk]

Supposedly the rumor was that Bishop wanted 7x7m to sign with Calgary, It sounds like Treliving might've gotten cold feet considering that he had to give big money to both Monahan and Gaudreau. Elliott+ for Bishop might work would still have to think that Wideman would have to get dealt as well.

For the Flames sake I hope they don't pay him 7x7, that's insane for a goalie.

 

[Boxscore]

That's true, but I think we should play Bishop and Vasilevskiy equally until around the deadline. By that time, Vasilevskiy will show if he can be counted on for a long period of time, and we can make a trade to accommodate that. However, if he simply can't, then maybe it would be best to simply trade Vasy and run with Bishop.

Not sure I agree with this position for a couple of reasons...

1. If you are platooning Bishop and Vasilevskiy, how will you really know if the kid can be counted on for a long period of time? You'll be playing him 2 games, then sitting him a few, etc. All that is is prolonging the inevitable and making the team play in front of a different goalie every other night just about.

2. If you (Tampa, aka Yzerman) has decided that Vasilevskiy is their tender of the future, I'd rather him workout his growing pains during the season - even if it means making it into the playoffs in the 5th spot - than waiting until March to hand him the keys and say, "ok, kid, now go win us a Cup."

3. If the platooning back and forth doesn't work and you decide to trade Vasilevskiy and keep Bishop long-term... re-signing Bishop to a multi-year, 6 million deal would be terrible asset management, considering you have an elite, young tender who would make 15% as much for a while. Tampa would be way better off using Bishop's money to keep their skating core in tact when you have a stud like Vasilevskiy waiting in the wings.

 

[CatchyTune]

Kucherov>>Nylander

What you have to pay Nylander >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What we would end up paying Kucherov.

 

[Sweetpotato]

What you have to pay Nylander >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What we would end up paying Kucherov.

Id rather have one of the best young wingers in the game than a prospect of Nylanders caliber, that's not a shot at Nylander but Kucherovs current level of performance is likely Nylander absolute ceiling so why take that very high risk he doesn't pan out?

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

What you have to pay Nylander >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What we would end up paying Kucherov.

Okay but if Nylander ends up as good as Kucherov, which is highly unlikely, you'll have to pay him the same amount as Kucherov. If Nylander ends up a 30 goal 30 assist, Playoff MVP type of player by the time he's 22, you'll have no problem paying him 8+ million a season.

 

[JS91]

Not a chance he goes to Russia. The only reason why this article exists is either because it's a slow news day in Russia or Kucherov's agent is trying to drive up the price. I still firmly believe he's signed before the opening night.

 

[Number1RedWingsFan52]

Not a chance he goes to Russia. The only reason why this article exists is either because it's a slow news day in Russia or Kucherov's agent is trying to drive up the price. I still firmly believe he's signed before the opening night.

Totally agree, Pretty sure it's just a way to prop up his asking price. No more no less.

 

[Hanji]

If he is willing to go to the KHL he'd be a fool. If he is seeking $7M+ plus he would be the third highest paid player in that league. The russian personal income tax of 13% would be attractive I'd guess ... much higher in NA it looks like from the brief research on personal income tax in russia (2 minutes to google).

If you left Russia to begin with ... why would you want to go back. I lived in Cleveland for 22 years ... got out of there as soon as I graduated college. Have been back once in 12 years to visit family/friends ... I now live in Tampa and they come visit me. If he chose to leave Russia ... why would he want to go back. Not enough money in the world to go back to cold as hell place.

Why wouldn't he go play in the the KHL if he's not getting what he wants in the NHL? Russians come to North America to play in the league with the highest talent level, not to get out of dodge in Russia.

 

[Boxscore]

Not a chance he goes to Russia.

Well, I wouldn't say "no chance" ... but I think it's extremely unlikely as the Bolts would be insane to let it get this far. Like you said - IF there's any truth to it, it's most likely agent posturing. That said, I do think Tampa needs to start moving money so their hands aren't tied. After Kucherov... Johnson and ultimately Drouin will be priorities, no?