Trade Rumor: 3 Targets for Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning are reportedly losing forward Nikita Kucherov for a couple of months as he's out with an undisclosed injury. Sounds like the team is already trying to find a way to replace his production.

The Lightning are rumored to be open to making a trade as they are running thin on the wing and should now have some money to work with as Kucherov heads to LTIR once again. Here's a few players the team could be targeting in a deal:

Tomas Hertl: Hertl is going to be the biggest name on the rental market and is someone who could fit in perfectly in Tampa Bay. It will come down to dollars and cents with this one as Hertl is making $5.62 on the cap. He holds limited no-trade protection but you can bet he's willing to go to the two-time Stanley Cup champions. Hertl has two points in his only game played this season.

Nick Cousins: The Nashville Predators forward is also on an expiring contract and someone who Tampa Bay would love to have because of his versatility to play both the wing and down the middle. Cousins recorded 18 points in 52 games last season and so far in two games has yet to register a point. His production will be something the Lightning follow closely this season.

Phil Kessel: This could be a match made in heaven. Kessel would head to a legit contender where the weather is great and he doesn't have to be 'the guy'. Kessel would give the Lightning another sniper for their right-side and someone who has two Cups of his own under his belt. Keep an eye on these two teams as the Arizona Coyotes would want a few prospects in the deal. The Lightning are a bit thin for draft picks so expect to see a top prospect heading out of the Sunshine State in any deal.

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