Nikita
Kucherov
R · TBL · Offensive · Elite
- PAL
- 98
- WAR
- 5.8
- Value
- 97
- PTS
- 130
2025-26№ 3 / 615
Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Nikita Kucherov
#86RPlays: Right wing · 1% of faceoffs
Tampa Bay Lightning
HEIGHT : 180 cm · WEIGHT : 78 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : June 16, 1993 · Maykop, Russia
Drafted : 2011 · TBL · round 2, pick #58
Contract : $9,500,000 · 2019-20 → 2026-27 · Standard Contract (Extension) · UFA · Signing bonus $11,000,000NMC / M-NTC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 17 | 5 | 17 | 22 | 6 |
| 2025-26 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 76 | 44 | 86 | 130 | 50 |
| 2024-25 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 78 | 37 | 84 | 121 | 45 |
| 2023-24 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 81 | 44 | 100 | 144 | 22 |
| 2022-23 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 82 | 30 | 83 | 113 | 36 |
| 2021-22 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 47 | 25 | 44 | 69 | 22 |
| 2019-20 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 68 | 33 | 52 | 85 | 38 |
| 2018-19 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 82 | 41 | 87 | 128 | 62 |
| 2017-18 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 80 | 39 | 61 | 100 | 42 |
| 2016-17 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 74 | 40 | 45 | 85 | 38 |
| 2015-16 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 77 | 30 | 36 | 66 | 30 |
| 2014-15 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 82 | 29 | 36 | 65 | 37 |
| 2013-14 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 52 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 14 |
| NHL totals | 895 | 406 | 740 | 1146 | 442 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 7 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 10 |
| 2024-25 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 2023-24 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 5 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 2 |
| 2022-23 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 6 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 11 |
| 2021-22 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 23 | 8 | 19 | 27 | 14 |
| 2020-21 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 23 | 8 | 24 | 32 | 14 |
| 2019-20 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 25 | 7 | 27 | 34 | 22 |
| 2018-19 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 19 |
| 2017-18 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 17 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 10 |
| 2015-16 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 17 | 11 | 8 | 19 | 8 |
| 2014-15 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 26 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 14 |
| 2013-14 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Playoff totals | 159 | 54 | 123 | 177 | 126 | |
Honours
- 🏆 Stanley Cup2 times · 2020-21, 2019-20
- 🏆 Art Ross Trophy3 times · 2024-25, 2023-24, 2018-19
- 🏆 Hart Memorial Trophy2 times · 2025-26, 2018-19
- 🏆 Ted Lindsay Award2 times · 2024-25, 2018-19
Nikita Kucherov: our analysis
2025-26 season: 76 GP, 44 G, 86 A, 130 PTS, +43 +/-, 20:20 TOI. WAR 5.8 (3rd of 615) · PAL 98, elite.
In 2025-26, Nikita Kucherov, 33, posts a PAL Rating of 98 out of 100 (elite), and his WAR of 5.8 ranks 3rd among 615 regulars, among the league's elite.
His strengths: offense (100, among the best in the league), power play (99, among the best in the league) and shooting (97, among the best in the league). On the other hand, defense (9, among the weakest in the league) and penalty kill (16, well below average) hold him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: finishing (+12.7); his biggest cost: EV defense (-1.8).
A season in line with 2024-25 (PAL of 97); his WAR went from 5.4 to 5.8.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 97 (exceptional value) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Nikita Kucherov's story
Growing up in Maikop, Kucherov learned his trade in CSKA Moscow’s youth ranks, earning a Kharlamov Cup with Krasnaya Armiya and making early KHL appearances that exposed him to pro hockey while still a junior. He also stood out internationally at the U18 world championship, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer. Selected by Tampa Bay in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, he moved to North America to adapt to the smaller ice and North American play. After spells in the QMJHL with Quebec and Rouyn-Noranda, he signed his entry-level deal with the Lightning in September 2012 and spent time with Syracuse in the AHL before being called up to the NHL. His NHL debut came in November 2013, and he scored on his first shot. In the following seasons he became part of the line nicknamed “The Triplets,” alongside Tyler Johnson and Ondřej Palát, and developed into the team’s primary offensive catalyst. He posted a 100-point season in 2017–18 and then a historic 2018–19 campaign that set several franchise and league marks for a winger. Team success arrived with back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021, with Kucherov among the top playoff scorers, and personal honours followed: multiple Art Ross Trophies for leading the league in points and Hart Trophy recognition in 2019 and again in 2026 as reflected in available records. His career has also included injury interruptions—a blocked-shot foot injury in 2016 and a hip operation at the end of 2020 among them—but he has returned to be a driving force for Tampa Bay. On the ice Kucherov combines creative vision and finishing touch: a playmaker on the power play who also scores at will. He has rewritten Lightning record books for single-season points and assists and owns franchise playoff marks for goals, assists and points, traits that define him as the focal point of his club’s offence.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 21:17
- PP TOI/GP
- 5:09
- SH TOI/GP
- 0:01
- Pts/GP
- 1.29
- EV points
- 14
- Hits
- 3
- Blocks
- 5
- Takeaways
- 9
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 54.6 %
- Off. zone starts
- 38.3 %
- Faceoffs
- 100.0 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
116between 88 and 136 (80% range)
- Goals
- 35
- Assists
- 81
- Games
- 80
So far: 22 pts in 17 games. The team has played 17 of 84 games. Projected pace: 1.49 pts per game (last season: 1.71).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Stable
- Points per game: 1.78 in 23-24, 1.71 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 97 → 98
Outlook, age included
↘ Slight declineAge 33: the age when production usually declines
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 86 %
93
Star
- SK
- Skating
- 78
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 49
- Confidence 89 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 95
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 84
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 61
- Confidence 89 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 55
- Confidence 66 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 86
- Confidence 89 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 98
- Confidence 86 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 89
- Confidence 86 %
- DF
- Defense
- 55
- Confidence 84 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 59
- Confidence 52 %
- EX
- Experience
- 95
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating78
- Top speed (35 %)36.4 · 80
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)5.078 · 73
- Distance /60 (20 %)16.4 · 83
- Speed consistency (15 %)35.3 · 76
ST — Strength49
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)2.881 · 62
- Body mass (50 %)-1.716 · 50
EN — Endurance95
- Ice time per game (45 %)18.7 · 95
- Total ice time (20 %)1,467 · 90
- Shift length (15 %)53 · 93
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)18.2 · 97
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)3.66 · 89
DU — Durability84
- Share of games played (100 %)0.867 · 84
CK — Checking61
- Hits /60 (70 %)2.029 · 56
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)1.617 · 56
- Season volume (10 %)3.611 · 67
FG — Fighting55
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.66 · 55
DI — Discipline86
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)0.063 · 88
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.667 · 75
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)1.037 · 84
PA — Passing98
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)1.882 · 97
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)1.199 · 98
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)0.42 · 96
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)7.657 · 98
- Assist consistency (10 %)1.555 · 98
SC — Scoring89
- Goals /60 (25 %)1.498 · 93
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)0.988 · 81
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)1.503 · 95
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)1.172 · 68
- xG per shot (10 %)0.073 · 49
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)20.5 · 91
DF — Defense55
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)-0.057 · 65
- Relative xG against (20 %)0.359 · 49
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.767 · 65
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)0.035 · 71
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-3.011 · 42
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)59.5 · 68
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)1.429 · 50
PS — Penalty shot59
- Shootouts (60 %)30.4 · 57
- Penalty shots (40 %)26.7 · 76
EX — Experience95
- Career regular-season games (65 %)96
- Career playoff games (25 %)96
- NHL seasons (10 %)90
OV — Overall93
- SC · Scoring (28 %)89
- PA · Passing (22 %)98
- DF · Defense (18 %)55
- SK · Skating (12 %)78
- EN · Endurance (8 %)95
- DI · Discipline (5 %)86
- ST · Strength (4 %)49
- CK · Checking (3 %)61
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 93 | 78 | 89 | 55 |
| 2024-25 | 93 | 79 | 85 | 58 |
| 2023-24 | 92 | 80 | 85 | 56 |
| 2022-23 | 87 | 75 | 79 | 58 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
5.8
wins above replacement
3 of 615
PAL Rating
98/ 100
Performance · Elite
8 of 476 at the position
Value Rating
97/ 100
Exceptional value
9.50 M$ · expected PAL 75
ProfileOffensiveValue comes mostly from offense
- Offense
- 99
- Defense
- 20
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 100
- Creation
- 71
- Shooting
- 97
- Possession
- 97
- Defense
- 9
- Discipline
- 76
- Power play
- 99
- Penalty kill
- 16
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | TBL | 5.8 | 98 | 97 | 9.50 M$ |
| 2024-25 | TBL | 5.4 | 97 | 94 | 9.50 M$ |
| 2023-24 | TBL | 4.7 | 97 | 90 | 9.50 M$ |
| 2022-23 | TBL | 2.5 | 93 | 75 | 9.50 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
75/ 100
Very good
better than 75% of forwards, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
70/ 100
Very good
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
63/ 100
Average
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Why 75, higher than both scores? Overall IQ isn't an average, it's a rank: 104 of 424 forwards. Few players are good at both ends at once; being so puts Nikita Kucherov ahead of almost everyone else.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 99
- Shot selection
- 7
- Penalties drawn
- 67
- Puck management
- 54
Defense
- Takeaways
- 52
- Discipline
- 39
- Safe zone exits
- 88
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | TBL | 75 | 70 | 63 |
| 2024-25 | TBL | 83 | 73 | 75 |
| 2023-24 | TBL | 71 | 14 | 94 |
| 2022-23 | TBL | 59 | 53 | 65 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
5.8
wins above replacement
4.0 to 7.4 — 90% interval
3 of 615 forwards
+30.9 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- +10.9
- EV defense
- -1.8
- Power play
- +4.1
- Penalty kill
- 0.0
- Shooting
- +12.7
- Penalties
- +1.2
- Average → replacement
- +3.8
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | TBL | 76 | 5.8 | 4.0 to 7.4 | 3/615 |
| 2024-25 | TBL | 75 | 5.4 | 3.6 to 7.1 | 2/596 |
| 2023-24 | TBL | 81 | 4.7 | 2.8 to 6.8 | 7/608 |
| 2022-23 | TBL | 82 | 2.5 | 1.0 to 3.7 | 39/617 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 140.7 km/h82nd percentileleague avg. 130.1 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 37.1 km/h92nd percentileleague avg. 35.2 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 3582nd percentileleague avg. 21
- Offensive zone time
- 45.6 %85th percentileleague avg. 43.1 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 86.4 km93rd percentileleague avg. 52.2 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 6.24 km95th percentileleague avg. 4.52 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 41.2 %53rd percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
- Neutral zone time
- 17.9 %43rd percentileleague avg. 16.8 %
- Defensive zone time
- 36.4 %87th percentileleague avg. 40.1 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 5095th percentile | 581st percentile | 10.0 %32nd percentile |
| High danger | 327th percentile | 157th percentile | 33.3 %85th percentile |
| Mid range | 1996th percentile | 396th percentile | 15.8 %60th percentile |
| Long range | 999th percentile | 092nd percentile | 0.0 %87th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
WPG
MIN
CHI
DET
NSH
UTA
COL
VGK
VAN
SEA
NYR
NYI
PHI
WSHNikita Kucherov: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Nikita Kucherov have in 2026-27?
Nikita Kucherov has 5 goals and 22 points (17 assists) in 17 games in 2026-27.
How old is Nikita Kucherov?
Nikita Kucherov is 33 years old: he was born on June 17, 1993.
How tall is Nikita Kucherov, and how much does he weigh?
Nikita Kucherov is 5'11" (180 cm) and weighs 172 lb (78 kg).
Where is Nikita Kucherov from?
Russia: Nikita Kucherov was born in Maykop, Russia.
What team does Nikita Kucherov play for?
Nikita Kucherov plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL, at R, wearing number 86.
Is Nikita Kucherov injured?
No: Nikita Kucherov is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Nikita Kucherov?
Nikita Kucherov produced 5.8 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 3rd of 615 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 98 out of 100: elite for his position.
How much does Nikita Kucherov make?
Nikita Kucherov earns $9.5M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 97 out of 100 (exceptional value): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Nikita Kucherov's contract end?
Nikita Kucherov's contract runs through the 2026-27 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a NMC / M-NTC clause.
Is Nikita Kucherov overpaid?
No, he gives more than he costs. His Value rating is 97 out of 100 (exceptional value), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Nikita Kucherov a top-10 player at his position?
Yes: by WAR, he ranks 3rd of 615 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Nikita Kucherov getting better?
He is holding steady: his PAL rating went from 97 in 2024-25 to 98 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Nikita Kucherov played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Nikita Kucherov has 14 points (4 goals, 10 assists).
What are Nikita Kucherov's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Nikita Kucherov has 895 games, 406 goals, 740 assists and 1,146 points. His best season: 2023-24, with 144 points in 81 games.
Where was Nikita Kucherov drafted?
Nikita Kucherov was drafted 58th overall (round 2) by Tampa Bay Lightning in 2011.
Is Nikita Kucherov better at home or on the road?
No real difference: in 2026-27, he averages 1.25 points per game at home (10 in 8 games) and 1.33 on the road (12 in 9 games).
How does Nikita Kucherov perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Nikita Kucherov has 159 games and 177 points in his career. His pace (1.11 points per game) is lower than his regular-season pace (1.28).
Which player is most similar to Nikita Kucherov?
Nathan MacKinnon: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Nathan MacKinnon's page →Is Nikita Kucherov a good fantasy pick?
Yes, a top-tier pick: our projection has him at 116 points in 2026-27, or 1.45 points per game.
Is Nikita Kucherov related to anyone famous?
Yes: Igor (father, Colonel in the Russian Army).
Is Nikita Kucherov married?
Yes, married to Anastasiya.
What is Nikita Kucherov's nationality?
Nikita Kucherov is Russian. Internationally: Represented Russia: silver medal at the 2012 World Junior Championship; bronze medal at the 2013 World Junior Championship; played at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey; bronze medal at the 2017 World Championship; bronze medal at the 2019 World Championship.
What awards has Nikita Kucherov won?
Hart Memorial Trophy (NHL MVP) — 2019 ; Hart Memorial Trophy (NHL MVP) — 2026 ; Ted Lindsay Award (players' choice for the NHL's best player) — 2019 ; Ted Lindsay Award (players' choice for the NHL's best player) — 2025 ; Art Ross Trophy (league scoring leader) — 2019 ; Art Ross Trophy (league scoring leader) — 2024 ; Art Ross Trophy (league scoring leader) — 2025 ; Named to the NHL Second All-Star Team for 2019–20; and more.
How many championships has Nikita Kucherov won?
3: Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning — 2020; Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning — 2021; Presidents' Trophy (regular season champions) with the Tampa Bay Lightning — 2018–19.
Where did Nikita Kucherov play before turning pro?
Played for Krasnaya Armiya (CSKA Moscow junior team) beginning in 2009–10; appeared in 27 KHL games in 2010–11 and 2011–12; drafted 58th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft; played major junior with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL) before signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Lightning on 10 September 2012..
How many points is Nikita Kucherov projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 116 points in 80 games in 2026-27 (88 to 136 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Tampa Bay Lightning teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)