REPORT: Kucherov, Lightning Getting Close to a Deal

After months of radio silence, it sounds like a deal between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nikita Kucherov is getting close.  Per TSN's Bob McKenzie:

Negotiations intensifying between TB and Nikita Kucherov. Not yet a "done deal," but it's likely Kucherov will be in TB opener on Thurs.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) October 10, 2016

If there's one thing the hockey world knows about Bob, it's that he won't go live with that sort of report unless he has a substantive reason to do so.  In short, there is tremendous reason for optimism if you're a fan of Kucherov and the Lightning.

Point's Preseason Play Provides Lightning with Reason for Optimism

As the clock continues to tick on the NHL's preseason, Nikita Kucherov remains without a contract.  One of the big questions for the Tampa Bay Lightning right now is who can and will step up to serve as a "replacement" for the dynamic Russian should the need arise.  If preseason play is any indication, Brayden Point appears poised to do the job well.

The general consensus heading into camp was that Cory Conacher would fit the role, having performed at a high level with the Lightning's top players in the past.  That much was made clear by Lightning Assistant GM Julien BriseBois, who framed Conacher's situation as follows:

While plans can obviously change, of course, BriseBois said today Conacher was signed for TB and expects him to be there most/all season

— Syracuse Hockey (@syrhockey) October 4, 2016

If the plan is for him to be up with the Lightning all year anyways, it just makes sense to slide him into Kucherov's spot until Kucherov signs on the dotted line, right?  Even if Conacher isn't the offensive dynamo and everyday NHL player he appeared to be during his original stint with the Lightning, him taking a short-term tour of duty playing in a familiar top-six setting likely can't turn into a disaster.

Lightning to Retire Marty St. Louis' Number-26

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced today that they will be retiring Martin St. Louis' Number-26.  Scheduled for January 13th, the ceremony will mark the return of a player who defined what it meant to be a Bolt for so long.  While his departure from the team is marked with controversy, the fact remains that Marty is and was the best of the best in Lightning blue.  While people can debate the timing of the honor, there is no denying that it is well deserved.

Making (Dollars and) Cents of the Nikita Kucherov Contract Negotiation

I wrote earlier in the week about the Tampa Bay Lightning's unenviable situation with restricted free agent Nikita Kucherov.  In short, he's not showing up until he has signed on the dotted line.  The big question, though, is what the contract above that dotted line might look like.  There's been a lot of talk of long-term deals and big money contracts, but one under-discussed option is that of a bridge deal; the idea was first floated to the masses by Mike Gallimore earlier in the year:

The more I review TB's cap situation, the more I wonder if the temptation to bridge Kucherov will be too strong for Yzerman to resist.

— Mike Gallimore (@mikegallimore) May 30, 2016

At first blush, the thought of a bridge deal seems patently unfair to a player who has scored 131 points in 159 games over the last two seasons.  It seems almost like a penalty against a player who is arguably the team's offensive leader.  Why should Kucherov have to sign a short-term deal worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $4M per season given all he's done for the team?  Don't be a monster, Steve!!

Kucherov to Sit Out from Training Camp Until Signed, Remains Without Contract

Per Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov's agent has informed the team that the young sniper will be sitting out from training camp so long as he remains without a contract:

#tblightning GM Steve Yzerman said they were told by Nikita Kucherov's agent that the wing won't report to camp without a contract. Is RFA

— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) September 29, 2016

Kucherov, a restricted free agent, has been without a contract since the 2015-16 season ended.  Having scored 131 points in 159 games over the past two seasons, all while being an incredible possession driver, Number-86 is in a position where he no doubt deserves a hefty pay raise.  When you look at deals signed by players like Filip Forsberg, Nathan MacKinnon, and Vladimir Tarasenko, among others, it's quite easy to envision a situation in which Kucherov receives north of $6.5-million annually on a long-term deal.

Vincent Lecavalier to be Honored by the Tampa Bay Lightning on October 18th

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced today that they will be honoring former captain Vincent Lecavalier on October 18th, when the Florida Panthers will be in town for an interstate matchup.

Lecavalier, 36, retired this offseason after finishing his career on a relative high note with the Los Angeles Kings; after being all but written off as an NHL player during his time with the Philadelphia Flyers, Lecavalier established himself as a reliable bottom-six presence for the Kings by putting up 10 goals and 7 assists in 42 games to end his National Hockey League career.  In total, the Quebec native suited up for 1,212 (!) regular season contests and notched 949 (!) career points.

BREAKING: Andrei Vasilevskiy Signs Three-Year, $10.5-million Contract Extension

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced this afternoon that they have signed goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy to a three-year contract worth $10.5-million total, or $3.5-million per season.

Keeping his streak of signing players to cap-friendly deals alive, Lightning GM Steve Yzerman managed to ink Vasilevskiy in such a way that will give the Bolts an above-average starting goaltender at a very affordable rate.  The signing of Vasilevskiy undoubtedly signals a changing of the guard for Tampa Bay, as it is almost a certainty now that Ben Bishop will be shown the door in one way or another.  If there's one thing his run in the playoffs proved, it's that Vasilevskiy is prepared to be 'the guy' for the Lightning.  He's going to get that shot.