"Throughout these contract negotiations, both parties I know would prefer to have a deal today to put that behind us," BriseBois said Wednesday. "We haven't been able to do that. I'm still in touch with his agent to keep the lines of communication open with the goal being to get Nikita signed to a contract that will keep him in Tampa many years to come."
Last season Kucherov was second in the NHL with 130 points (44 goals, 86 assists) in 76 games and won the Hart Trophy as NHL most valuable player for the second time (2019).
Kucherov said his focus solely is on the Lightning and shut down additional questions regarding his future with the club.
The 33-year-old said he's hopeful to end Tampa Bay's four-year streak of first-round playoff exits. The Lightning were eliminated in the Eastern Conference First Round by the Montreal Canadiens in seven games last season; they haven't won a playoff series since defeating the New York Rangers in the 2022 Eastern Conference Final.
"What's on my mind? My mind is trying to help the team this year," Kucherov said. "I control what I can control. I will do my best when I'm on the ice. That's what I am focused on right now."
In 12 NHL seasons, all with the Lightning, Kucherov has 1,124 points (401 goals, 723 assists), putting him 14 points behind Steven Stamkos (1,137) as the franchise leader. He also was part of Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021.
Kucherov has reached the 100-point mark in each of the past four seasons, tied for the second-longest active streak in the NHL (Connor McDavid, six). He also is one of five players to record 100 assists in a season, accomplishing the feat in 2023-24 to join Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and McDavid.
"Nikita is a historically great player," BriseBois said. "Not just one of the best players in the world right now -- maybe the best player in the world right now. He is one of the best players ever. The past three years are the best stretch for a player aged 30-32, for a forward anyway, ever in the history of the league. That's how incredible his performance has been.
"I have every reason to believe that he's going to remain an elite player well into his 30s."
BriseBois said that there is no deadline in the talks with Kucherov's agent.
"I say the sooner the better obviously," BriseBois said. "There's no timeline. If you want to get technical he won't be a free agent until July 1 of next year. Hopefully it won't get to that point."
