This ex-Tampa Bay defenseman has had an impressive start to his first season in Utah.
Many Tampa Bay Lightning fans were shocked when the news broke that longtime defenseman Mikhail Sergachev had been traded to the Utah Hockey Club. Many more will be upset when they look at his stat line and see how fast of a start he has had in his new uniform.
The nine-year veteran has made an immediate impact with his new club in Utah, as he already has six goals and 16 points in 24 games. He has also become a crucial part of their blueline, as he plays top-pairing minutes and is on their first power-play unit.
Sergachev was traded by the Lightning to Utah to free up cap space in exchange for J.J. Moser, Conor Geekie, a 2024 seventh-round pick, and a 2025 second-round pick.
Sergachev spent seven illustrious seasons in Tampa Bay, including back-to-back Stanley Cup victories and three Eastern Conference Championships. Throughout his tenure, the Russian blueliner tallied 257 points in 498 games. His best season came during the 2022-23 campaign when he scored a career-high 64 points.