Nikita Kucherov has done it with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He's won a Stanley Cup with them twice, two Hart trophies and has amassed 1,139 points with the franchise he's spent his entire 13-year career with.
And now, per reports, he wants a trade. He's in the final year of a big contract and will be due a hefty raise as he continues to be one of the NHL's best. On top of that, he's got a 10-team list of destinations, and although we don't know what teams are on that list at the moment, we can try to guess where he could land next.
Here are five possible landing spots:
Montreal Canadiens
They're already a contender with a young, dynamic core. Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson are all incredible... but adding a name like Kucherov might put them over the top.
It also might cost them some of that young talent.
Detroit Red Wings
I mean... Dylan Larkin wants out. Kucherov wants out. That'd be the start of a pretty great return for the Wings. Hmm.
New York Islanders
A team that's looking solid to start the season, but they're without a superstar up front (Mathew Barzal is good, but he's not Kucherov good).
Minnesota Wild
They're built to win now. He could join fellow Russian star Kirill Kaprizov and the franchise could hope to win a Cup before Quinn Hughes leaves in free agency.
Washington Capitals
Out goes Alex Ovechkin at season's end, and in comes Kucherov. Plus, the Caps have the kind of youngsters who could be really enticing for the Lightning to get back in a deal.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 5 Nikita Kucherov landing spots as he requests Lightning trade
