Hagel throws shade at both Larkin and Hellebuyck when asked about Kucherov's trade request

The situation between Nikita Kucherov and the Tampa Bay Lightning continues to get messier, but the superstar's agent and one of his closest teammates are now pushing back against the narrative surrounding his reported trade request.

Dan Milstein took to social media today to respond to an article published by Rinky Report, taking particular offence to the way the Russian superstar's situation in Tampa Bay was being portrayed.

Milstein didn't mince words while defending his client, making it clear that Kucherov's reported departure has nothing to do with a lack of affection for the organization, his teammates, or head coach Jon Cooper.

"False. Nikita loves his teammates and Tampa, where he won two Stanley Cups and three of his children were born. He has a great relationship with Jon Cooper and wished he could have stayed, but negotiations with management did not work out and he will be moving on. The rest is garbage from journalists in Russia paid for clicks…"

Those are some pretty strong words from Milstein, who appears determined to set the record straight about what actually happened between Kucherov and the Lightning.

And now, one of Kucherov's teammates is offering a very similar perspective.

Brandon Hagel spoke with reporters earlier today and was asked about Kucherov's trade request. Rather than suggest there is any animosity between the superstar and the organization, Hagel went out of his way to defend his longtime teammate and friend.

"Kuch is a good friend and a good teammate. He loves the city. He's done everything he possibly could for the city. It's not like he committed here for eight years and asked out just two years into it. This is a different situation... he's the type of guy that's just going to continue to come out and play hard for this team because he does care about us."

Hagel's comments are particularly noteworthy because they echo almost everything Milstein was trying to communicate in his response to Rinky Report.

There is apparently a desire from Kucherov's camp to make sure fans understand that this isn't a situation involving a disgruntled superstar who has suddenly turned his back on Tampa Bay. According to both Milstein and Hagel, Kucherov loves the city, cares deeply about his teammates, and has given everything he has to the Lightning organization.

The distinction Hagel made about Kucherov's commitment is also an important one. This isn't a player who signed a lengthy contract and immediately started looking for the exit. Rather, it appears that negotiations with management simply haven't gone the way either side had hoped.

Kucherov has spent his entire NHL career in Tampa Bay, winning two Stanley Cups and establishing himself as one of the most dominant offensive players of his generation. His relationship with Jon Cooper has also been an important part of that success.

Ultimately, Milstein and Hagel seem to be delivering the same message: Kucherov isn't abandoning Tampa Bay or the people inside that locker room.

Whatever happens next, the apparent breakdown in negotiations between Kucherov's camp and Lightning management has created one of the NHL's biggest developing storylines.

Lead with the strongest quoteTrim repeated points about loyalty