Nikita Kucherov’s Lackluster NHL All-Star Skills Competition Annoyed Hockey Fans

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: 

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.