On Nikita Kucherov and the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Bob McKenzie: Nikita Kucherov left Russia yesterday for Tampa as the restricted free agent is close to signing a bridge deal with the Lightning.
Pierre LeBrun: Guessing that it will be a three-year contract.
Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: A contract extension between the Lightning and Kucherov could be finalized today. It will likely be a bridge deal due to their salary cap situation. Kucherov flew to Tampa yesterday from Russia where he’s been working out.
With only $5 to $5.5 million in cap space, they couldn’t afford to give him a $6 plus million contract he deserves on long-term deal. Instead of taking a discounted long-term deal, they’ll do a two- or three-year deal at a lower amount, and then look to do a bigger deal on his next contract.
On the New York Rangers …
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers are believed to be looking to trade 24-year old defenseman Dylan McIlrath. McIlrath hasn’t had a good camp and could be a roster casualty. Brady Skjei doesn’t need to pass through waivers. Adam Clendening may better suit what the Rangers want, but they don’t really want to put McIlrath on waivers.
“I thought Dylan played well, played to his strengths, worked extremely hard and was giving it his best shot,” Vigneault said when asked about McIlrath’s camp. “He was trying to put his best foot forward, and now we’re trying to figure out where he fits on the team.”
On the Los Angeles Kings …
Jon Rosen: Devin Setoguchi, who is on a PTO, is talking as if he’ll be remaining with the Kings.
Jon Rosen: There is no official word from the organization, but after talking with both Setoguchi and coach Darryl Sutter, it sounds like he made the team.
