Say it isn’t so, but the Russian Sensation that has swept the Lightning Nation is on long-term injured reserve, meaning the star forward will miss at least the next 10 games and 24 days. Tampa has been feeling it as we took the loss against the Panthers 4-1 with a 0-for-6 showing on the power play. Steve Stamkos spoke after the game and wished Kuch the best but admit they need to adapt and overcome while he is out on the with the injury.
Lightning coach Jon Cooper didn’t give a set time on Kucherov’s return. He only indicated that it likely wouldn’t be like last season, when he missed the entire 56-game abbreviated regular season recovering from hip surgery. Furthermore, Defenseman Mikhail Sergachev believes that Kucherov will be back in time to play in the Olympics in early February.
Placing Kucherov on the long-term injured reserve provides the Lightning salary cap relief. Kucherov makes $9.5 million this season and carries a daily cap hit of $47,500, according to Cap Friendly.
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Tampa Bay Lightning Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FL - JULY 12: Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning, center and Andrei Vasilevskiy, right, celebrate during the boat parade to celebrate the Tampa Bay Lightning winning the Stanley Cup July 12, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning holds the Stanley Cup above his head during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FL - JULY 12: Alex Killorn #17 of the Tampa Bay Lightning holds the Stanley Cup while driving Nikita Kucherov #86 during the boat parade to celebrate the Tampa Bay Lightning winning the Stanley Cup July 12, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game Five
ShareNikita Kucherov #86, Mikhail Sergachev #98 and Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning pose with the Stanley Cup following the victory over the Montreal Canadiens in Game Five of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Amalie Arena on July 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning defeated the Canadiens 1-0 to take the series four games to one.
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareNikita Kucherov #86 and Pat Maroon #14 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates during the Stanley Cup victory rally at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park on July 12, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareNikita Kucherov #86 Alex Killorn #17 and Pat Maroon #14 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates during the Stanley Cup victory rally at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park on July 12, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Nikita Kucherov
ShareC'mon there's no way we could lose Kuch. That'd be some number one (well, you know) right there.
Tampa Bay Lightning Boat Parade
ShareAlex Killorn of the Tampa Bay Lightning drives Nikita Kucherov during the boat parade to celebrate the Tampa Bay Lightning winning the Stanley Cup July 12, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FL - JULY 12: Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning, center and Andrei Vasilevskiy, right, celebrate during the boat parade to celebrate the Tampa Bay Lightning winning the Stanley Cup July 12, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Boat Parade
ShareNikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning holds the Vince Lombardi trophy during the boat parade to celebrate the Tampa Bay Lightning winning the Stanley Cup July 12, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FL - JULY 12: Alex Killorn #17 of the Tampa Bay Lightning holds the Stanley Cup while driving Nikita Kucherov #86 during the boat parade to celebrate the Tampa Bay Lightning winning the Stanley Cup July 12, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FL - JULY 12: Alex Killorn #17 of the Tampa Bay Lightning holds the Stanley Cup while driving Nikita Kucherov #86 during the boat parade to celebrate the Tampa Bay Lightning winning the Stanley Cup July 12, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game Five
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JULY 07: Head coach Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning takes a selfie with Andrei Vasilevskiy #88, Mikhail Sergachev #98 and Nikita Kucherov #86 after defeating the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 in Game Five to win the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on July 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game Five
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JULY 07: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates after the team's 1-0 victory against the Montreal Canadiens in Game Five to win the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on July 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game Five
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JULY 07: Head coach Jon Cooper and Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate after defeating the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 in Game Five to win the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on July 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game Five
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JULY 07: Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens and Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning shake hands following the Lightning's 1-0 victory in Game Five to win the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on July 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game One
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 28: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period in Game One of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on June 28, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game One
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 28: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning is congratulated by Brayden Point #21 after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period in Game One of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on June 28, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game One
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 28: Ondrej Palat #18 of the Tampa Bay Lightning and his teammates celebrate a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period in Game One of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on June 28, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The goal was originally credited to Ondrej Palat but was later changed to Nikita Kucherov. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game One
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 28: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning reacts after Ben Chiarot #8 of the Montreal Canadiens is penalized for roughing on Kucherov during the first period in Game One of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on June 28, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
New York Islanders v Tampa Bay Lightning – Game Seven
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 25: Andy Greene #4 of the New York Islanders shakes hands with Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning after the Lightning's 1-0 victory in Game Seven of the NHL Stanley Cup Semifinals during the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Amalie Arena on June 25, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
New York Islanders v Tampa Bay Lightning – Game Seven
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 25: Head coach Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates with Mikhail Sergachev #98 and Nikita Kucherov #86 after defeating the New York Islanders 1-0 in Game Seven of the NHL Stanley Cup Semifinals during the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Amalie Arena on June 25, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
New York Islanders v Tampa Bay Lightning – Game Seven
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 25: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates the team's 1-0 win against the New York Islanders in Game Seven of the NHL Stanley Cup Semifinals during the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Amalie Arena on June 25, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
New York Islanders v Tampa Bay Lightning – Game Two
ShareEDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 09: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning is congratulated by his teammates Ondrej Palat and Barclay Goodrow after scoring a goal in the final seconds of the third period against the New York Islanders in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Final during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on September 09, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
New York Islanders v Tampa Bay Lightning – Game Two
ShareEDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 09: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning is congratulated by his teammates Ondrej Palat and Barclay Goodrow after scoring a goal in the final seconds of the third period against the New York Islanders in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Final during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on September 09, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Kuuuuuuuuuuch
ShareHip surgery means Nikita Kucherov is unfortunately out for the season. But they think he might be available for a playoff run.
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Alexander Volkov #92 and Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning hold the Stanley Cup above their head during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 and Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
2020 NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game Six
ShareEDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 28: Anton Khudobin #35 of the Dallas Stars makes the save against Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period in Game Six of the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on September 28, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
2020 NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game Six
ShareEDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 28: Mikhail Sergachev #98 and Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate following the series-winning victory over the Dallas Stars in Game Six of the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on September 28, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
2020 NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game Six
ShareEDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 28: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates with the Stanley Cup following the series-winning victory over the Dallas Stars in Game Six of the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on September 28, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
2020 NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game Six
ShareEDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 28: Mikhail Sergachev #98 and Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate following the series-winning victory over the Dallas Stars in Game Six of the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on September 28, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
2020 NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game Six
ShareEDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 28: Nikita Kucherov #86 and Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate following the series-winning victory over the Dallas Stars in Game Six of the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on September 28, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
New York Rangers v Tampa Bay Lightning – Game Three
ShareTAMPA, FL - MAY 20: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates with his teammates after scoring the game winning goal in overtime to defeat the New York Rangers 6 to 5 in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on May 20, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Florida Panthers
ShareTORONTO, ONTARIO - JULY 29: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning trips up Riley Stillman #61 of the Florida Panthers during the first period in an exhibition game prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on July 29, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images)
Vancouver Canucks v Tampa Bay Lightning
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 07: Nikita Kucherov #86 and Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate a goal during a game against the Vancouver Canucks at Amalie Arena on January 07, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Vancouver Canucks v Tampa Bay Lightning
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 07: Nikita Kucherov #86 and Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate a goal during a game against the Vancouver Canucks at Amalie Arena on January 07, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
2020 NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game Six
ShareNikita Kucherov skates with the Stanley Cup.