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Nikita Kucherov with harsh words for Lightning

DIRK SHADD | Times

Lightning star wing Nikita Kucherov delivered some pointed and strong criticism on his teammates and coaches Wednesday.

Kucherov, preparing to play for Russia at the World Championships, told Sovietsky Sport that some teammates "overstayed" with team, "got their money and stopped working." Kucherov also wondered why the team's lines were changed like a "kaleidoscope."

"Some guys overstayed in team," Kucherov told Sovietsy Sport, per translation. "They've got their money and stopped working. They knew there's no competition for their positions and the organization is not going to take someone else. They played not really well this year.