Nikita Kucherov reportedly tells Lightning he won't re-sign and requests trade

Reigning NHL MVP Nikita Kucherov informed the Tampa Bay Lightning he is not re-signing with the team and has asked for a trade, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the talks are considered private.

A message sent to the Lightning seeking comment on the stunning development was not immediately returned. Sportsnet was first to report the news.

CBC Sports has not independently verified or confirmed reporting by the AP and Sportsnet.

Kucherov is set to be an unrestricted free agent after this season, the last of an eight-year, $76 million US contract signed in 2018 before he helped Tampa Bay win the Stanley Cup twice, led the NHL in scoring three times and was voted the recipient of the Hart Trophy in 2018-19 and 2025-26.

"Nikita is a historically great player," general manager Julien BriseBois said at his training camp-opening news conference last month. "He's not just one of the best players in the world right now, maybe the best player in the world right now. He is one of the best players ever."

Kucherov's 1,139 points in 891 regular-season games since debuting in 2013 are third most among all players over that time behind only Edmonton's Connor McDavid and Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon. His 177 in the playoffs are the most during that span.

The 33-year-old Russian winger became the franchise's career points leader last weekend, passing former captain Steven Stamkos.

Kucherov has four goals and 15 points through 12 games, second on the team behind Brandon Hagel.

BriseBois told reporters in mid-September the goal was to get Kucherov signed to a new deal that keeps him around for years to come as part of a perennial