Nikita Kucherov signs with Lightning

Forward Nikita Kucherov signed a three-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.
The contract carries an average annual value of $4.766 million.

Kucherov, who was a restricted free agent, could play when the Lightning open their regular season against the Detroit Red Wings at Amalie Arena on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET; SUN, FS-D).
Kucherov, 23, played for Team Russia at the World Cup of Hockey 2016, where he had two goals, an assist and 13 shots on goal in four games.

Kucherov led the Lightning last season with 66 points and was second with 30 goals, and led them with 19 points (11 goals, eight assists) in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He had 42 points (20 goals, 22 assists) in 45 playoff games the past two seasons to help Tampa Bay to the Stanley Cup Final in 2015 and the Eastern Conference Final last season.