NHL Insider Reveals How The Lightning Disrespected Nikita Kucherov.

The Tampa Bay Lightning's fan base has been left stunned following the trade demand of all-time franchise points leader Nikita Kucherov last week, but it sounds like the Lightning themselves probably shouldn't be nearly as surprised.

On Monday morning, National Hockey League insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that Kucherov's frustration does in fact stem from a contract negotiation as many have speculated. While most believe the issue to be either a dispute over dollars or term related to Kucherov's age, Friedman instead revealed that it was the lack of negotiation that made Kucherov feel disrespected.

"I just think that's what it is, one way or the other he wanted this solved here," revealed Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast.

Not only does it now seem to have cost them arguably the most valuable player in the history of their franchise but, according to Friedman, the reports of Kucherov's extravagant contract demands may have stemmed directly from his frustration with the Lightning.

"I think the other thing is the 6x$20 million, I think that became a thing the longer this took," revealed Friedman. "At the beginning I don't think it was 6x$20 [million] but I think it got there because of the frustration with how long it was taking."

Kucherov is the type of superstar that simply does not become available, ever, and the thought that the Lightning will now have to hand him over to a rival team in the NHL over a mismanaged contract negotiation is going to be a tough pill to swallow for the Lightning's front office.

Fans in Tampa Bay are not going to be happy to hear about this.