On Nikita Kucherov and the Tampa Bay Lightning …

Bob McKenzie: The Lightning and RFA Nikita Kucherov’s situation is complex because of their salary cap situation.

Bob McKenzie: Most high-end offensive forwards that are looking at their second contracts get close to the standard six-years, $6 million per year – Filip Forsberg, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle etc.

Bob McKenzie: The Flames gave Sean Monahan six years and $6.375 million. The Predators bought only one year of Filip Forsberg’s unrestricted years.

Bob McKenzie: A six-year deal for Kucherov would buy two unrestricted years, so he could be worth well more than $6 million a season.

Bob McKenzie: Don’t think the Lightning could do that right now given their cap situation without moving a contract. If they do a two-year bridge deal, it would be really hard to determine a value.

Bob McKenzie: Not sure if Kucherov is the player that would do a bridge deal, but the Lightning may not have a choice.

Bob McKenzie: Being able to sign both Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman to hometown discounts was a good start. The Lightning will also have to deal with Jonathan Drouin, Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson as RFAs next offseason.

Bob McKenzie: Ben Bishop will get moved at some point, but he’s expected to start the season with the Lightning.

Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Bob McKenzie was on TSN 690 talking about Tampa Bay Lightning RFA Nikita Kucherov.

“If you’re going to give Nikita Kucherov a long-term contract – five, six, seven years, or whatever the case may be – at a number that makes sense for Kucherov, Steve Yzerman will have to trade a player and clear some cap space in order to do that,” said McKenzie. “If you’re going to do a bridge deal, then you probably could do that. But again, if you’re Kucherov – this is not the type of player that should be bridged.”

Filip Forsberg received a six-year deal at $6 million a season coming out of his entry-level deal. Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also got the same deal. Jeff Skinner and John Tavares got less.

The Predators bought one UFA year in Forsberg’s deal. The Lightning would be buying two years of unrestricted free agency if they signed Kucherov to a six-year deal. Six-years at $6 million a season likely isn’t enough for Kucherov. The Lightning can’t fit that in without trading someone.

Would a bridge deal, two or three years at $4 or $5 million?

“So if ever there were a golden opportunity for somebody to come in with an offer sheet, this would be it. If you really wanted Nikita Kucherov. Because if the Lightning are going to match the offer sheet – boy, does it cause them enormous heartache. And Steve Yzerman is going through this all again next year. Jonathan Drouin. Ondrej Palat. Tyler Johnson. Welcome to my nightmare.”

The Lightning will need salary cap room at some point. Moving a goaltender is the logical choice, but there is not much of goalie market right now. With the expansion draft coming, many teams might be looking to move a goalie. Ben Bishop is better than a lot of guys that might become available.