Kucherov latest Bolts star to sign big deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Nikita Kucherov to an eight-year contract extension worth an average of US$9.5 million in salary and annual bonuses. The 25-year-old would have been a restricted free agent next summer. The two-time allstar had 39 goals and 100 points last season. The Lightning have locked up a core group of players younger than 30 years old. Tampa Bay now has Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman, Alex Killorn, Ondrej Palat, J.T. Miller, Tyler Johnson and Ryan McDonagh signed through at least the 2021-22 season.