With Mikhail Sergachev out indefinitely, the Lightning should go all in for this Flames defenseman.

There was a plethora of excitement for Mikhail Sergachev's return to the Tampa Bay Lightning's lineup for their Feb. 7 matchup against the New York Rangers. However, that excitement quickly changed to despair. Sergachev was stretchered off of the ice after suffering fractures to his left tibia and fibula following a reverse hit from Alexis Lafreniere.

Sergachev has since had surgery, and he is out indefinitely as he recovers. This is just a brutal blow for the Lightning star defenseman.

Now, the Lightning will be without one of their best defensemen long-term. They were already browsing the trade market for defensemen before this, with players like Chris Tanev (Calgary Flames), Sean Walker (Philadelphia Flyers), Ilya Lyubushkin (Anaheim Ducks), and old friend David Savard (Montreal Canadiens) all being on their radar, per The Fourth Period. However, with Sergachev now out indefinitely, they should look to make a major splash and target Noah Hanifin.

Hanifin, 27, is the best defenseman on the trade market, and he would be an excellent replacement for Sergachev. This is because he is a legitimate top-pairing defenseman who plays a steady defensive game and also chips in well offensively. His play this season effectively shows that, as he has nine goals, 28 points, and a plus-12 rating in 51 games. 

If the Lightning were to acquire Hanifin, he would likely be a rental for them, as they have very limited cap space to work with heading into the summer. However, Hanifin is exactly the kind of star defenseman that the Lightning need right now, especially with Sergachev now being sidelined. 

If the Lightning officially join the Hanifin sweepstakes, they will have a lot of competition for him, as the Boston Bruins, Arizona Coyotes, and New Jersey Devils are all connected to him, per TFP. 

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