Are Lightning playing Long Game with Kucherov? | November 5, 2026 | Frankly Hockey

Nikita Kucherov has spoken, but there's two sides to every story. What is the plan for the Tampa Bay Lightning? Frank Seravalli and John Buccigross break down why Frank believes the Lightning are playing the long game, knowing their number is competitive. In the end, that might not matter if the horse is out of the barn. The boys also talk about the sluggish starts from the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks.

As always, Bucci is back with his latest news and notes from around the NHL in Franks 'n Beans.

Frankly Hockey is a video-first podcast. It can be streamed live on YouTube, X, as well as Sportsnet 360 across Canada and listened to on FAN 590 radio in Toronto.

0:00 - Welcome to Frankly Hockey: The Yashin Trade to New York
3:28 - Franks 'n Beans: Evander Kane to the KHL
18:03 - The Kucherov Calculator
25:26 - Break
31:02 - Who else could the Tampa Bay Lighning pursue to replace Kucherov in the offseason?
39:27 - Chicago Blackhawks get called out: What is next?
46:10 - Struggle is real in San Jose
50:56 - Welcome to the National Dillon Boucher
51:44 - Asking the Youtube Chat: Can contracts be frontloaded?
52:33 - Speculate to Accumulate
53:27 - Last Word: Ottawa Citizen and long-form journalism

Catch up on recent episodes:

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➡️Early Calder Trophy Check-in: Habs’ Jacob Fowler lead dog?
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➡️Don’t Lightning ‘unequivocally’ have to trade Kucherov?
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➡️Move over McKenna: Canadiens’ Jacob Fowler is the early Calder Trophy leader
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➡️Six hockey countries are boycotting Russia: What will Hockey Canada and USA Hockey do?
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➡️Three new teams? How should Detroit’s Dylan Larkin reshape his trade list?
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➡️Which NHL team is the Milwaukee Brewers equivalent searching for a Stanley Cup?
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➡️How the Red Wings have Lost Leverage in Larkin trade talks
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➡️Enough is Enough: Why Dylan Larkin has told the Detroit Red Wings Time’s Up
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➡️Heating Up? Dylan Larkin sits out until trade
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➡️Who Fits the Bill? Chicago Blackhawks willing to shake up roster after sluggish start
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➡️Sources: NHL’s salary cap could crest $150 million by 2029 - Full Salary Cap Explainer
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