Nicolas Cloutier ends a Kucherov myth with Montreal

Nicolas Cloutier just reported that Nikita Kucherov could earn as much in Montreal as he would in Florida on the same contract, and possibly more.

It lands in the middle of a story Panthers fans have followed since Kucherov's trade request on November 1, when Tampa Bay's star wanted out and Florida was nowhere on one list of landing spots.

Cloutier wrote that a myth is being put to rest once and for all, the idea that a tax-free market gives a team an edge in money.

That is a rumor and an opinion, not a report that any team has made a move. But it goes straight at the argument many fans use to explain where Kucherov would or wouldn't want to go.

Chris Johnston also reported tonight that the situation is trending toward an offseason move for the Lightning, not an immediate trade. So nothing happens this month, and the question becomes who is ready when the summer arrives.

Florida isn't a bystander in the standings. The Panthers are 9-5-2 and sit 5th in the Atlantic, and they play at Washington on Saturday.

Montreal is 10-3-3 and 2nd in the division. Tampa Bay is 10-3-2 and 3rd, and Kucherov has 20 points in 15 games, though he was held off the scoresheet in Thursday's 4-1 win over Chicago.

Why Florida's Larkin patience matters now

Bill Zito's earlier stance is the context here. Bill Zito's stance on Dylan Larkin was that he hadn't engaged with Detroit, even with the Panthers on Larkin's list.

Pierre LeBrun later said he believed Florida was never really in on Larkin. That fits a general manager who doesn't chase names before there is a real market.

Waiting is the right call this time. Kucherov's contract expires at the end of this season, there is no trade to win in November, and a rumor about money in Montreal doesn't change what Florida can actually do.

But if the Lightning do move him in the offseason, Zito won't be able to treat it the way he treated Larkin. Cloutier's claim only puts more teams in the conversation, and the Panthers will watch Saturday's results like everyone else.

Quick hits

BUFFALO SABRESJosh Norris scored twice as the Sabres beat the Blue Jackets 5-2 at home tonight. A clean win and a big night for Norris.

ANAHEIM DUCKSLeo Carlsson reached 100 NHL assists tonight in Calgary, according to the Ducks' official account. It's a nice round number for a young center.

INJURYThe Flames announced that Kevin Bahl is out with a lower body injury and won't play tonight against the Ducks. Calgary loses a defenseman before puck drop.

NEW YORK ISLANDERSMark Divver reports that Pierre Engvall made it 3-0 for Hamilton tonight. It's a nice jolt for the Islanders' AHL affiliate.

COLORADO AVALANCHECale Makar and the Avalanche say the effort is there, but local voices want results that match the talk. The backlash is growing.