Sergachev ready for ‘big opportunity’ with Utah hockey club

SALT LAKE CITY — Mikhail Sergachev was taking out the trash when he found out he was being traded to Utah.

“At first, I was shocked. I didn’t expect it,” the defenseman said Friday of his reaction to being sent to the Utah Hockey Club on June 29 in exchange for defenseman JJ Moser, forward Conor Geekie, a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

The former Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman knew nothing about Utah before the trade, but speaking to the media for the first time since the deal was completed, it didn’t take him long to see the potential of what can happen with his new team.

“Talking to my agent, talking to some of the players and talking to (Clayton) Keller, everybody has said really good things about Utah and the new franchise. It’s pretty incredible, honestly. The whole organization, the city. I’m really excited. It’s a great opportunity for me to prove myself, to be a leader. I’m looking forward to it.”

The 26-year-old had 19 points (two goals, 17 assists) in 34 regular-season games with the Lightning in 2023-24 but missed most of the season with a knee injury. He returned during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and had one assist in two games.

Despite the time lost on the ice, he enters the new season as Utah’s top defenseman.

“We’re in a situation where we want a proven player,” Utah coach Andre Tourigny said Friday. “Sergey is exactly that type of player. He’s played in championship games, played 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. He’ll bring experience. We’re taking a step in the right direction.”

At the end of the 2023-24 season, Utah general manager Bill Armstrong had to rebuild his defensive lineup from scratch. When the possibility of trading for Sergachev arose in the draft, the team took a chance.

“I thought, ‘As an organization, when do we get a chance?'” Armstrong said. “This is a great opportunity to add a No. 1 defenseman to your roster at 26 who has won two championships … This opportunity doesn’t come and we took it.”

Sergachev had 257 points (48 goals, 209 assists) in 475 regular-season games and 34 points (nine goals, 25 assists) in 100 career playoff games over seven seasons with Tampa Bay. He won the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021 as a top-four defenseman for the Lightning.

In addition to his offensive abilities on the blue line, he brings a physical presence to Utah’s defense.

“Of course, I love hitting, but you have to be smart when you play 25, 27, 23 minutes,” Sergachev said. “I’m just going to use my legs, use my speed and when I need it, I’m going to hit. But for me, that’s not all. It’s about being aggressive everywhere, not just defensively, but offensively as well.”

Sergachev will also take on a leadership role with Utah, which will enter the 2024-25 season with one of the youngest teams in the NHL.

“I don’t like to talk too much. I’m kind of like the leaders I’ve had before, like (Steven Stamkos) and (Victor Hedman),” Sergachev said. “Most of the time, they just play, they go out there and show what they’re capable of, and that speaks for itself. I feel like I’m going to do the same thing, and I’m just going to focus on that. Play the right way and try to win as many games as possible.”