Watch: Kucherov wants nothing to do with Skills Competition
Nikita Kucherov clearly wasn't feeling the NHL All-Star Skills Competition on Friday night.
The Tampa Bay Lightning star - and the league's 2023-24 points leader - struggled to muster much energy in the passing challenge. The fans in Toronto voiced their displeasure.
A rough showing from Nikita Kucherov in the passing challenge and the Toronto crowd lets him know#NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/mhBNWzjne1
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) February 3, 2024
Kucherov displayed further nonchalance as he ambled his way through the stick-handling event. He finished off his round by sarcastically waving to the crowd.
Nikita Kucherov wants absolutely nothing to do with the NHL All Star Skills Competition#NHLAllStar | #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/HqxVaUgF7r
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) February 3, 2024
For what it's worth, the star winger appeared to try harder in the accuracy shooting later on. However, he jumped the gun and started before he was supposed to.
Kucherov finished with 0.5 points across four events before being eliminated.
The NHL's revamped Skills Competition includes a $1-million prize for the winner this year. Kucherov has a $9.5-million cap hit through 2026-27, according to CapFriendly.