Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov was the first overall pick in the NHL All-Star player draft on Thursday night. However, he probably wouldn’t be the No. 1 pick for the All-Star Weekend’s skills competition based on his lack of enthusiasm for the event on Friday night.
Kucherov, who leads the NHL with 85 points, appeared as if he wanted to be anywhere but on the ice at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. His lack of enthusiasm for the event was clear to everyone watching the event as he slogged through the passing challenge and stick handling competitions.
“I know this isn’t serious important stuff, but if Nikita Kucherov didn’t give a darn about the skills competition, he should have bowed out and let someone else in,” Mark Lazerus wrote on The Athletic’s live blog. “This is embarrassing.”
Fans in attendance booed Kucherov’s apathetic performance and viewers on social media didn’t hold back in ripping his lack of interest. Here’s a sampling:
I’m starting to think Nikita Kucherov doesn’t want to be at the All-Star weekend
— Mr Booth (@MrBooth07) February 3, 2024
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
either Nikita Kucherov is blacked out drunk or he truly just said “idgaf” about the NHL All-Star skills challenges (both on-brand for him so) pic.twitter.com/re1jHE4aze
— Jade Matthies☻ (@jadematthies) February 3, 2024
Tough night for Kucherov in the skills competition as he hears it from the fans 🗣️#NHL | #NHLAllStar | #GoBolts
pic.twitter.com/clqGHnFoHU— The Cam & Strick Podcast (@CamandStrick) February 3, 2024
There’s a 0% chance that the NHL is at all amused by what Nikita Kucherov is doing here at the Skills Competition lol.
— Jesse Montano (@jessemontano_) February 3, 2024
Nikita Kucherov with a less than stellar showing in the passing event 😅 pic.twitter.com/w9xdVXM9Uj
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) February 3, 2024
There is a 0% chance Nikita Kucherov is even remotely sober tonight pic.twitter.com/gtK2mnIKLF
— Nighthawk (@KrikorianB15) February 3, 2024
No one has ever cared less about something than Nikita Kucherov did with that passing event
— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) February 3, 2024
Kucherov finished last in the stick handling and passing challenge, which shouldn’t surprise anyone who watched him snooze through the competition. Some viewers speculated that he was trolling Toronto fans after the Lightning’s tough playoff series versus the Maple Leafs the past two seasons.
The NHL and its fans are surely hoping that Kucherov shows far more enthusiasm and skill in Saturday’s All-Star Game, set for 3 p.m. ET.