Opinion: Unlike Hellebuyck And Larkin, Nikita Kucherov Is Doing The Lightning A Solid

Nikita Kucherov shocked the NHL by requesting a trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning, but unlike Connor Hellebuyck and Dylan Larkin, he is doing his team a solid by doing so. Wow, this one is seismic. With 13-plus seasons, two Hart Trophies, two Art Ross Trophies, two Stanley Cups, and more than 1,100 career points as the franchise’s leading scorer, Kucherov looked like as sure a bet as you could find to finish his career with the team that drafted him. But, unlike Connor Hellebuyck and Dylan Larkin, Kucherov is actually doing his team a favor with his public declaration.Related storiesFor so many reasons, this is different than the other two. And when the dust settles and emotions subside, the Lightning are going to be happy Kucherov greased his own skids out of town.Watch for more in the video column above.For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free.