Nikita Kucherov’s trophy case just got a bit more crowded. Tampa Bay’s own has received the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL Most Valuable Player. Adding to his decorated career.“It means a lot to me,” Kucherov said, adding that having success for the same organization that drafted him makes it even more special.Kucherov proved once again how valuable he is to the Lightning’s first line, scoring 44 goals and 13 points for the team in 2025/2026. Eight of these goals came at crucial game-deciding moments. In April, we saw a thrilling finish to the matchup between the Detroit Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning. With four minutes left in overtime, Brayden Point made a last-second pass to Kucherov, who eloquently tapped the puck into the net for the winning goal. This is not his first time in the spotlight, either. In 2019, the then-25-year-old won his first Hart Memorial Trophy and, much like his consistency on the ice, has been a finalist every year since 2023. “One of the great things that makes Kuch-Kuch is he’s never satisfied. He could have 50 goals in one year. Well, he wants to get 51 next year. Could have 100 assists one year; he’ll want 110 the next year,” Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said.But Kucherov also played a huge role in his teammates’ success, boasting 86 assists and helping the Lightning reach the playoffs 12 times since 2018. “But ultimately, he doesn’t put that above the team. He would trade that trophy for the Stanley Cup anytime. Those are the guys you want to have around,” Cooper said.Christian Bussiere is an assignment editor and sportswriter at WESH 2 who has covered Central Florida sports since 2022. You can follow his coverage over on X and Instagram.
TAMPA, Fla. —
Nikita Kucherov’s trophy case just got a bit more crowded.
Tampa Bay’s own has received the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL Most Valuable Player. Adding to his decorated career.
“It means a lot to me,” Kucherov said, adding that having success for the same organization that drafted him makes it even more special.
Kucherov proved once again how valuable he is to the Lightning’s first line, scoring 44 goals and 13 points for the team in 2025/2026. Eight of these goals came at crucial game-deciding moments. In April, we saw a thrilling finish to the matchup between the Detroit Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning. With four minutes left in overtime, Brayden Point made a last-second pass to Kucherov, who eloquently tapped the puck into the net for the winning goal.
Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photo
This is not his first time in the spotlight, either. In 2019, the then-25-year-old won his first Hart Memorial Trophy and, much like his consistency on the ice, has been a finalist every year since 2023.
“One of the great things that makes Kuch-Kuch is he’s never satisfied. He could have 50 goals in one year. Well, he wants to get 51 next year. Could have 100 assists one year; he’ll want 110 the next year,” Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said.
But Kucherov also played a huge role in his teammates’ success, boasting 86 assists and helping the Lightning reach the playoffs 12 times since 2018.
“But ultimately, he doesn’t put that [award] above the team. He would trade that trophy for the Stanley Cup anytime. Those are the guys you want to have around,” Cooper said.
Christian Bussiere is an assignment editor and sportswriter at WESH 2 who has covered Central Florida sports since 2022. You can follow his coverage over on X and Instagram.