Bolts sign Kucherov to contract extension through 2026-27

TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Nikita Kucherov to an eight-year contract extension worth an average of $9.5 million in salary and annual bonuses.

The team announced the deal Tuesday. The 25-yearold would have been a restricted free agent next summer with one year left on a deal that will pay him nearly $4.8 million for the 2018-19 season. Now he is set to stay with the Lightning through the 2026-27 season. The two-time All-Star had 39 goals and 100 points with a plus-15 rating last season. That was third in the NHL in points, sixth in assists and tied for ninth in goals.