Ex-Lightning Mikhail Sergachev reveals what convinced him to accept the trade to the Utah Hockey Club

By Ankit Kumar

Modified Jul 07, 2024 17:02 GMT

Mikhail Sergachev has been traded to the Utah Hockey Club, ending his tenure with the Tampa Bay Lightning. In return for Sergachev, Tampa Bay acquired J.J. Moser, forward Conor Geekie and several draft picks:

• A seventh-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft
• A second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

The trade took place on June 29. In a discussion with Matthew Komma of NHL.com, Sergachev said this regarding the trade:

"At first, I was in shock. I didn't expect it."

Sergachev was shocked because he knew nothing about Utah. But after conversations with his agent and fellow players, he changed his view. Utah's Clayton Keller was one of the main reasons behind this view.

"Talking to my agent, talking to some players, and talking to (Utah forward Clayton) Keller, everybody said great things about Utah and the new franchise," Sergachev said (via NHL.com). "It's pretty amazing, honestly."

“The whole setup, the city. I'm very excited. It's a big opportunity for me to prove myself, being a leader. I’m looking forward to it," Sergachev added.

Sergachev brings offensive skill and physicality to Utah’s blue line. He enjoys delivering hits but prioritizes smart play, using his speed and legs effectively.

“Obviously I love hitting," Sergachev said. " ... I'm just going to use my legs, use my speed. And when I need to, I'm going to lay a hit. But for me, it's not all about that. It's about being aggressive everywhere, not just on defense but on offense too.”

Last season was tough for Sergachev due to a knee injury. He played only 34 regular-season games and scored 19 points. Despite these setbacks, he will be Utah’s top defenseman next season.

Utah's head coach pointed out Mikhail Sergachev's Championship experience and leadership

Andre Tourigny stressed the value of acquiring Mikhail Sergachev. He pointed to Sergachev’s experience in championship games and high-pressure situations.

“We are in a situation where we want a proven player,” Tourigny said (via NHL.com). “Sergey is exactly that kind of player."

"He has been in championship games, been in pressure games. He was one of those guys who was on the ice in those big moments … We still have a young group of defensemen and he will bring experience. We're making a step in the right direction.”

After last season, Utah's general manager, Bill Armstrong, had to rebuild the team’s defense. Sergachev boasts an impressive track record, with 257 points in 475 regular season games and two Stanley Cup wins with Tampa Bay.