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Yzerman expects to get Nikita Kucherov signed

Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman's offseason couldn't have gone much better so far, especially with the re-signing of captain Steven Stamkos and locking up cornerstone defenseman Victor Hedman long-term.

But after avoiding arbitration with center Vladislav Namestnikov Tuesday - signing him to a two-year deal - Yzerman has one big item left on his to-do list.

Nikita Kucherov.

Kucherov, 23, one of the league's top young stars, is a restricted free agent, and is due a hefty raise from the $700,000 he made last season. He's coming off a 30-goal season, and another clutch playoff performance.