Nikita Kucherov warms up for Lightning, will play vs Predators after trade request

Nikita Kucherov's trade request shocked the NHL world on Oct. 30.One day later, the 33-year-old star forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning is on the ice at Bridgestone Arena ready to face the Nashville Predators.Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman broke the news that Kucherov is not planning to re-sign with the Lightning when he becomes a free agent next summer and is now requesting a trade from Tampa.But apparently that trade request won't keep him out of Tampa's lineup: Kucherov is skating in warmups on Oct. 31 and will play in the Lightning's matchup with the Predators.Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois issued a statement on Oct. 30 regarding the trade request, saying: "We are aware of the media reports regarding the future of Nikita Kucherov with the Lightning. We unequivocally have no intention of trading Nikita."Kucherov is a two-time Hart Trophy (MVP) winner, a three-time Art Ross Trophy (points leader) winner and just recently passed Steven Stamkos as the Lightnings' all-time leading scorer. He has 1,139 points in 891 career games over 13 seasons for Tampa. The Predators and Lightning drop the puck at 1 p.m. CT (The Spot Nashville 28). EXCLUSIVE: Predators coach Andrew Brunette addresses job security amid lukewarm startAlex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com, follow him on X at @alexdaugherty1 or check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nikita Kucherov warms up for Lightning, will play vs Predators after trade request