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NHL Notebook: Nikita Kucherov reportedly asks for trade
Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Oct 31, 2026, 19:15 EDTUpdated: Oct 31, 2026, 19:08 EDT
The 2026-27 National Hockey League season is already off to a wild start.
A handful of superstars have already asked for a trade this season, like Connor Hellebuyck and Dylan Larkin. But on Friday evening, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that reigning Hat Trophy winner, Nikita Kucherov, told his team and teammates that he won’t be re-signing and asked for a trade.
Every contender will be lining up to trade for the 33-year-old. Through 13 games this season, the Russian winger has four goals and 18 points. He’s consistently been among the league’s best players this past decade, scoring 405 goals and 1,142 points in 892 career games since his debut in 2013-14.
He has a mantle to back it up too. His Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Awards that he won last season were each the second of his career. He has also led the league in points three separate times, giving him three Art Ross Trophies in his career as well.
Kucherov has the team accolades as well. His Tampa Bay Lightning won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic-shortened seasons. He scored seven goals and 34 points in 25 games during their 2020 Cup run, and eight goals and 32 points in 23 games during their 2021 Cup run, despite not playing a regular season game in 2020-21.
The Russian winger is in the final year of an eight-year deal that has a cap hit of $9.5 million. It’s expected that the 33-year-old will command a hefty cap hit on his next contract. Kucherov also has a 10-team trade list.
It’s also worth noting that Lightning general manager, Julien Brisebois, released a statement that the Lightning have no intention of trading Kucherov.
Kucherov joins Larkin as the two best players available on the trade market. Hellebuyck also requested a trade, but was eventually moved to the New Jersey Devils.
Ducks place Nick Jensen on waivers
On Saturday, it was reported by Friedman that the Anaheim Ducks placed defenceman Nick Jensen on waivers.
Nick Jensen (ANA) on waivers
Jensen, 36, has played just three games for the Ducks in 2026-27, scoring a goal and two points. It’s the fourth team he’s played on in his 11th season, joining the Ducks after two seasons with the Ottawa Senators.
The right-shot defenceman was involved in the trade that brought Jakob Chychrun to the Capitals. He also spent three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, the team that selected him 150th overall back in 2009.
Jensen in the first year of a two-year deal that carries a cap hit of $2.25 million. It makes a young Ducks’ defence core even younger, a bit of a problem given they’ve surrendered 50 goals this season, sixth-most in the NHL.
Cynthia Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for DFO Calgary, DFO Edmonton, and Blue Jays Nation. She can be followed on Twitter @CynthiaRDelaney.
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Calgary FlamesTeam Cap Summary
Cap Summary
2026-27
2027-28
Projected Cap Hit
$91,217,832
$69,841,666
Projected Cap Space
$12,782,168
$43,658,334
Current Cap Space
$15,213,132
$43,658,334
Active Players
23/23
16/23
Draft Picks
Round
'27
'28
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
2
1