Every NHL team should at least explore acquiring Nikita Kucherov. It will take a significant deal to get the Tampa Bay Lightning to balk, but the previous year's Hart Trophy winner and someone who has six 100-point seasons in their career doesn't just go on the market every day. If Kucherov moves this season, it'd be one of the most unprecedented stories in a long time, and the Montreal Canadiens feel like a player in those talks.
Why wouldn't the Canadiens be high on Kucherov's trade list? They have one of the best young rosters in the league; they check the box of the Russian superstar wanting more intelligent players to play with; and their growing Russian prospect contingent shows that players from the country respect the organization and want to play for them. Why wouldn't Kucherov want to play with Ivan Demidov?
One slight issue with acquiring the superstar this season is that he wouldn't address the center-ice issue the Canadiens hope to improve. Montreal still doesn't have a legitimate second-line center as they await Dylan Larkin's decision to expand his trade list, which complicates things.
The Canadiens seemingly have a deal on the table that the Detroit Red Wings will accept as soon as Larkin says he is willing to come to Canada. Some pieces in that deal would likely also have to be in a Kucherov deal, which begs the question of which player Montreal would rather have. I don't think it would take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.
Would Kent Hughes risk trading a player like Michael Hage to the Red Wings for Larkin if that is the type of player who could get him Kucherov? I'd be very hesitant if I were running things.
Nikita Kucherov's path to Canadiens through free agency
This is where Canadiens fans get some good news. Kucherov finally spoke to the media on Monday and alluded to feeling slighted in Tampa Bay. He also mentioned that Julien BriseBois is walking him to free agency, which makes sense after the vice president and general manager's comments about the Lightning not exploring a Kucherov trade.
Kucherov added: “Julien (BriseBois) made it clear I’m free to walk on July 1st.”
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) November 2, 2026
Clear he’s got some hurt feelings for how things have occurred to this point. Asked if he can see this ending with him still being a Bolt, he said, “I’ve made my request.” https://t.co/x825vTeLgY
The Canadiens COULD make a push for Kucherov, but if he is on the way to the open market, why would they? The organization would miss the superstar this season, but it might not be time to win anyway with a rookie goaltender and a couple more questions on their roster.
Hughes could acquire Kucherov, miss out on Larkin, and still have to address the center-ice position. Or he could trade for Larkin/ keep Hage, and enter next season with Nick Suzuki's first line back in place, with a second line coming over the boards of Demidov, Larkin/Hage, and Kucherov.
Acquiring Tampa Bay’s superstar would be exciting, but from an asset-management standpoint, waiting for him to hit the open market might be the better play. If they execute it perfectly and make the cap work, who beats that top-six next season?
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