Hagel Says Kucherov Trade Request Is a 'Different Situation'

Brandon Hagel has spoken out in defence of Tampa Bay teammate Nikita Kucherov, describing the star winger's trade request as a completely different situation from the other high-profile standoffs around the NHL. Asked about Kucherov after practice on Monday, Hagel walked a careful line: he defended his friend, avoided criticising the front office, and pointed out that Kucherov's circumstances bear little resemblance to those of Dylan Larkin or Connor Hellebuyck, even without naming either player. The distinction, Hagel argued, is contractual. Larkin asked for a trade out of Detroit in the summer with five years left on his deal and has since been suspended without pay for refusing to play, while Hellebuyck requested a move with five seasons remaining before Winnipeg traded him to New Jersey on October 23. Kucherov, by contrast, is in the final season of an eight-year, $76 million contract with a $9.5 million cap hit and becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, having told the Lightning he will not re-sign. Kucherov himself blamed poor communication and respect on Monday, saying he had just two conversations with general manager Julien BriseBois in four months, and that the issue was never about money. BriseBois has said the club has no intention of trading him. Hagel stressed the room is not worried about effort, saying Kucherov loves Tampa Bay and will keep playing hard, and left the trade question to the front office as out of his pay grade. Tampa Bay hosts Detroit on Tuesday night in its first home game since the request became public.