NIKITA KUCHEROV - Right Winger - 26 - $9.5MM Cap Hit - UFA in 2026-2027
LAST UPDATED 8/20/19
After his first two seasons in the NHL, Kucherov looked pretty settled. After back-to-back mid-60 point seasons, Kucherov looked like a good first line winger but not something to center a franchise on. Then in the following season Steven Stamkos suffered a major injury, and Nikita Kucherov was forced to become Tampa's offensive cornerstone. He scored 85 points that year, then had 100 the following season, and this past season he shattered all recent records by putting up 128 points. Without scoring a goal, Kucherov's 87 assists would still have put him in Art Ross Trophy contention a few years ago when Jamie Benn won it. Kucherov's 128 points this past season are an absolutely incredible achievement, and he has spectacularly forced himself into the debate with Connor McDavid for the game's most talented offensive player. Kucherov plays the offensive game like a first line center does, only as a winger. The puck is always on his stick, and all offense flows through him. He's like a ball-dominating point guard, a la Russell Westbrook. Everything that happens on the ice is dominated by Kucherov whenever he jumps across the boards, and there are few players in hockey who can take over a game like Kucherov can. He's a threat to score whenever he's on the ice, and he can just as easily snipe the puck past a goalie as he can thread the needle between two defenders to set up a teammate. His defense is largely irrelevant thanks to his offense, and even if he was a major liability it wouldn't really matter. Kucherov isn't a major liability, though, and is experienced enough to be fine in moderate pressure situations, but don't confuse him with a penalty killer. Smart coaches will limit his defensive exposure to expand his offensive role, which is what Jon Cooper does, meaning that his defensive abilities mean very little. He's fine, but the value is in his offense, where he shines. Kucherov is a true offensive engine and the most deadliest scoring winger in the world, and in the conversation for the best player in hockey.
After his first two seasons in the NHL, Kucherov looked pretty settled. After back-to-back mid-60 point seasons, Kucherov looked like a good first line winger but not something to center a franchise on. Then in the following season Steven Stamkos suffered a major injury, and Nikita Kucherov was forced to become Tampa's offensive cornerstone. He scored 85 points that year, then had 100 the following season, and this past season he shattered all recent records by putting up 128 points. Without scoring a goal, Kucherov's 87 assists would still have put him in Art Ross Trophy contention a few years ago when Jamie Benn won it. Kucherov's 128 points this past season are an absolutely incredible achievement, and he has spectacularly forced himself into the debate with Connor McDavid for the game's most talented offensive player. Kucherov plays the offensive game like a first line center does, only as a winger. The puck is always on his stick, and all offense flows through him. He's like a ball-dominating point guard, a la Russell Westbrook. Everything that happens on the ice is dominated by Kucherov whenever he jumps across the boards, and there are few players in hockey who can take over a game like Kucherov can. He's a threat to score whenever he's on the ice, and he can just as easily snipe the puck past a goalie as he can thread the needle between two defenders to set up a teammate. His defense is largely irrelevant thanks to his offense, and even if he was a major liability it wouldn't really matter. Kucherov isn't a major liability, though, and is experienced enough to be fine in moderate pressure situations, but don't confuse him with a penalty killer. Smart coaches will limit his defensive exposure to expand his offensive role, which is what Jon Cooper does, meaning that his defensive abilities mean very little. He's fine, but the value is in his offense, where he shines. Kucherov is a true offensive engine and the most deadliest scoring winger in the world, and in the conversation for the best player in hockey.
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