Nikita Kucherov looked like he wanted to play somewhere other than Friday night’s NHL All-Star Skills Contest.
The Tampa Bay Lightning forward was one of 12 All-Stars in attendance at the event, but it was clear the other 11 cared a little more than Kucherov.
Kucherov was the first choice for the match, which took place on Saturday afternoon.
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Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning will compete in the Scotiabank NHL Passing Challenge at the 2024 NHL All-Star Skills Competition to be held at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on February 2, 2024. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Kucherov seemed to be on track during the minute-long passing game, scoring five of his 33 points.
And even though the event was meant to promote the league’s star players, ESPN announcers weren’t afraid to bash Kucherov.
“There’s not a lot of intensity here, Metz,” announcer John Buccigross told Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Messier.
“We just don’t have the strength here,” Messier replied.
Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning warms up before the 2024 NHL All-Star Skills Competition at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on February 2, 2024. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
As the crowd began to express their displeasure, Butchgross added, “Frankly, this doesn’t look good.” “The fans are booing him. This is what happens when you don’t do your best in a hockey city like Toronto. They’ll let you know.”
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Kucherov also finished last in the stickhandling contest with a time of 44.178 seconds. All others finished under the age of 40.
Kucherov didn’t seem too apologetic about his performance.
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov skates with the puck during the 2024 NHL All-Star Skills Competition at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on February 2, 2024. (Julian Abram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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“You just sit there for about three hours and then you get behind the wheel,” Kucherov said, according to the Associated Press. “That was a little difficult.”
Maybe he was looking forward to going to Fillmore’s, a gentlemen’s club that gives free lap dances to All-Stars this weekend.
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