from Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times,

Training camp opens 10 days from today, and Tampa Bay's leading scorer last season, Kucherov, 23, is still unsigned. A deal doesn't appear close. In what's been a banner offseason for the Lightning, including the re-signings of cornerstones Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman, this could be a significant wrinkle.

Yzerman said his goal is to have Kucherov signed by the time the wing returns from the World Cup in Toronto, where he'll play for Russia. The tournament, which begins Saturday, ends Oct. 1. Though Kucherov theoretically could participate in Lightning camp without a new deal, it wouldn't be an ideal situation. Coach Jon Cooper remains confident Kucherov will sign.

"We'll see," Kucherov told nhl.com.

To be fair, Kucherov isn't the only notable restricted free agent unsigned. There's Flames wing Johnny Gaudreau, Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba, Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm and Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov. Typically in negotiations, there needs to be a deadline to get things moving, and unlike Lightning restricted free agents Alex Killorn and Vladislav Namestnikov this offseason, Kucherov didn't have a looming arbitration hearing.

Kucherov's agent, Scott Greenspun, has declined to comment on negotiations.

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