Could the Lightning consider trading Nikita Kucherov? What position could the Bruins attempt to improve this summer? What’s the latest on the Kings? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SHOULD THE LIGHTNING CONSIDER TRADING NIKITA KUCHEROV?

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun pondered what’s next for the Tampa Bay Lightning after their fourth consecutive first-round playoff exit.

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov (NHL Images).

Lebrun wondered if general manager Julien BriseBois would consider trading Nikita Kucherov. The 32-year-old superstar winger was held pointless by the Montreal Canadiens in the final three games of the series, and his frustration was apparent throughout the series.

Kucherov has a year remaining on his contract and will be eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July. He has a 10-team no-trade list on his current contract.

LeBrun believes the Lightning’s priority is to sign Kucherov to a contract extension. However, he pointed out that BriseBois hasn’t been afraid to make a big move in the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The only way I see the Lightning peddling Kucherov is if the two sides can’t agree to a contract extension this summer. It would be a significant roster change, representing another shift away from the core that won back-to-back Stanley Cups earlier in the decade.

THE BRUINS NEED A BLUELINE UPGRADE

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa believes the Boston Bruins must upgrade their blueline this summer.

Shinzawa noted the Bruins’ bottom three defensemen couldn’t take the burden off top-three blueliners Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, and Nikita Zadorov during their first-round series against the Buffalo Sabres.

He also noted that the Sabres’ defensemen account for six goals in that series, while the Bruins’ blueliners generated none.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Changes will likely be coming to the Bruins’ blueline during the offseason. They have over $16 million in cap space with 21 active roster players under contract for 2026-27.

Winger Viktor Arvidsson is their only notable player eligible for free agency this summer. If they re-sign him, they’ll still have enough to make an addition or two to their defense corps. They could explore the limited options in this summer’s free-agent market, and they could be active in this summer’s trade market.

THE LATEST ON THE KINGS

MAYOR’S MANOR: Alexander Leggart highlighted the notable points from Friday’s press conference by Los Angeles Kings GM Ken Holland, who expressed his unhappiness over the club’s disappointing season.

Holland indicated that interim head coach DJ Smith will be a candidate to fill that role permanently. He also said that he’s likely to retain his 2026 first-round draft pick (17th overall) rather than use it as a trade chip for more immediate help.