He’s Back! Kucherov Arrives

Nikita Kucherov returns for season opener vs. Detroit

by Erik Erlendsson | @Erik_Erlendsson | Like us on Facebook

BRANDON, Fla. – Nikita Kucherov officially rejoined the Tampa Bay Lightning less than 48 hours before the start of the 2016-17 season opener.

Less than 24 hours after signing a new three-year, $14.3 million contract – which carries a salary cap hit of $4.766 million – Kucherov stepped on to the ice at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon on Wednesday to join his teammates for the first time. As he stepped through the locker room doorway and made his way to the ice, Kucherov’s first few strides were greeted with a cheer and round of applause from the gathering of fans sitting in the stands.

The arrival of Kucherov eliminated any potential distraction for a team that holds Stanley Cup aspirations and expectations.

“The less you have to think about the better. You get to just concentrate on hockey,’’ Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said. “He’s a big part of our team, let’s make no mistake about that and to see him zipping around out there, it’s gratifying because you want to out your best foot forward, especially early in the season. You just can’t let games slip, and we’re not guaranteed we’re going to win all our games but we want to be able to put our best foot forward and he’s a big part of that. He’s a really popular teammate and guys are really excited now that he came in.’’

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Kucherov led the Lightning in scoring last season with 66 points, reached the 30-goal mark for the first time in his career before reaching the double-digit mark in playoff goals for the second consecutive season.

That it took as long as it did for Kucherov to sign his new deal is no surprise. But like a handful of his teammates, Kucherov wound up taking well below market value in signing his new contract. In a time when players such as Kucherov – top talents coming out of their entry-level deal – are signing megadeals for six or more years at a salary cap north of $6 million, the emerging Lightning star settled for a bridge deal for less money and fewer years.

“I don’t want to get in to the details of the contract situation, I just thought the shorter term deal was the best for me in this situation,’’ Kucherov said.

In reality, it was the only choice Kucherov could really make.

Tampa Bay had just over $5.7 million in available cap space prior to Kucherov signing and the only way for Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman to give Kucherov the contract he probably deserved would have been to move salary out via trade.

So rather than remain engaged in a contract stalemate, Kucherov followed the example set by captain Steven Stamkos and repeated by defenseman Victor Hedman and forward Alex Killorn – taking less in order to keep the core of this team intact and make a final run at a Stanley Cup together.

“It’s nice to see the guys do it and nice to have them on the team,’’ Kucherov said. “They show how good they are as a person and how good they are as teammates.’’

With the band back together again to start the season – minus the injured Ryan Callahan, who is expected back in November – the Lightning can push aside any excuses and zero in on a singular focus.

“We have unfinished business and this year we are ready to do it,’’ Kucherov said. “I’m just happy to be here and happy that the whole situation with the contract has been resolved and I’m back with my teammates getting ready to win the Stanley Cup.’’

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