Yahoo Sports Report: Lightning & Oilers Talked Kucherov-Draisaitl Trade
During Tuesday's (Dec. 17) episode of The Sheet, NHL insider Jeff Marek revealed something truly shocking.
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According to Marek, the Tampa Bay Lightning had trade discussions during the 2019 NHL off-season that would have sent Nikita Kucherov to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Leon Draisaitl.
© Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
"There were conversations between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Edmonton Oilers, and the two primaries changing were Nikita Kucherov for Leon Draisaitl," Marek said.
Marek added that the Oilers wanted Anthony Cirelli, which may have been why the deal did not go through.
These talks occurred after the Lightning tied a then-NHL record with 62 regular-season wins before being swept in the post-season by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Kucherov had just won the Hart Memorial Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, and Art Ross Trophy that season but had a nightmare post-season that saw him get suspended for Game 3.
© Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
As excellent of a player Draisaitl is, not going through with trading Kucherov was clearly the right call by the Lightning. Following their 2019 collapse, the Lightning won back-to-back Stanley Cups, and Kucherov was a massive reason for them. In 48 playoff games during their Stanley Cup-winning runs, he had 15 goals and 66 points. Kucherov also won the Art Ross Trophy for a second time this past season.
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