2016 NHL Free Agency: Top 10 restricted free agents

Apr 19, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) skates with the puck defended by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Kyle Quincey (27) during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena. Tampa won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Nikita Kucherov

Nikita Kucherov has surpassed Steven Stamkos as the Tampa Bay Lightning‘s best forward. With Stamkos likely departing Tampa Bay in free agency, the Lightning must pass the baton on to Kucherov and do whatever it takes to lock him up, preferably long-term.

It’s not that simple though. There are some good arguments for why the Lightning should hold off on extending Kucherov long-term. The biggest one is that elite defenseman Victor Hedman is a free agent after next season. Hedman is an even more important player to the Lightning than Kucherov. Paying Hedman to stay long-term should take priority over signing Kucherov, especially with Tampa having so many restricted free agents.

If Tampa can find a way to sign Kucherov to a long-term deal and extend Hedman, they should absolutely do it. The NHL salary cap system is cruel and will most likely make it impossible for the Lightning to do so. Even though Kucherov might be the least likely of this year’s major restricted free agents to get a long-term extension, he is also the most deserving of one.

What pushes him past everybody else? His consistent production in the playoffs over the past two postseasons. That’s what gets people paid the big bucks.

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