Nikita Kucherov's agent, Dan Milstein, has started to comment about his client's situation on social media.
Milstein quoted a post on X that showed a video where Kucherov appeared to look upset while fans gave him a standing ovation, saying "A very sad day indeed…"
The 50-year-old agent also quoted another post suggesting that Kucherov could take the same path as Dylan Larkin and decide not play in order to pressure the organization into the trade by simply saying "Unlikely..."
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman first reported on Friday that Kucherov informed both his teammates and the Lightning organization that he will not be re-signing with Tampa Bay and would like to be traded.
Friedman later added on Saturday Night Hockey that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens are two teams that Kucherov would consider as trade destinations.
Milstein, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper, GM Julien Brisebois and Kucherov had a meeting on Friday, but were unable to settle the situation, Friedman reported.
The Lightning then released a statement saying they would not be trading Kucherov.
"We are aware of the media reports regarding the future of Nikita Kucherov with the Lightning," Brisebois said in a statement. "We unequivocally have no intention of trading Nikita."
The 33-year-old reigning MVP is in the final season of an eight-year, $76-million contract and had 130 points (44 goals, 86 assists) last season in his second Hart Trophy-winning campaign.
