NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Rangers - Source: Imagn — Utah HC GM Bill Armstrong reveals how Lightning's desire to acquire $63 million star facilitated securing Mikhail Sergachev (Image credit: Imagn)

Utah HC GM Bill Armstrong reveals how Lightning's desire to acquire $63 million star facilitated securing Mikhail Sergachev

Modified Jul 31, 2024 00:24 GMT

The Utah Hockey Club made a significant splash this summer by trading for veteran blueliner Mikhail Sergachev. The deal came on the heels of signing Sean Durzi to a massive contract extension following a successful season.

But the trade wouldn't have happened if the Tampa Bay Lightning hadn't pursued Jake Guentzel, who signed a seven-year, $63 million contract on July 1.

NHL insider Jason Gregor quoted Utah's general manager Bill Armstrong on the matter during an appearance on Sports 1440.

“I called every team who had top-end D-men and told them I have a lot of picks and prospects and asked them if there was anyone who would be available,” Armstrong said.

“It doesn't always work, but Julien (Brisebois) was interested and they had some other moves they wanted to do in adding Guentzel and that led to more serious conversations.”

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The Tampa Bay Lightning were looking to clear cap space in order to add free-agent winger Jake Guentzel. That particular need made Mikhail Sergachev available.

So, Armstrong pounced on the chance to drastically improve the club’s blue line. Given the prospect and draft capital at his disposal, pulling the trigger on a deal was possible. Now, Utah has a solid top pair in Sean Durzi and Sergachev.

Meanwhile, the Lightning were victims of the salary cap. But then again, that’s the harsh reality of today’s NHL. Some teams need to sacrifice impact players to address other immediate pain points.

In this particular case, the Utah Hockey Club benefitted from the Bolts’ need to address its top six.

Clayton Keller reminds Mikhail Sergachev of Nikita Kucherov

The Hockey News quoted Mikhail Sergachev describing his new teammate, Clayton Keller.

"Keller reminds me of (Nikita Kucherov), honestly," Sergachev said. "He skates the same way and plays the same way; it definitely wasn't fun chasing him around."

Sergachev won’t need to skate around following Keller anymore. Instead, he will be working together to help the Utah Hockey Club return to the playoffs. With a good mix of veteran leadership and youth, the Utah Hockey Club appears on its way to contention in the Western Conference.

Utah will be counting on Sergachev to provide the veteran leadership young players like Clayton Keller need to elevate their game. Other young stars like Logan Cooley and Lawson Crouse stand to greatly benefit from having a two-time Stanley Cup champion anchoring their blue line.