Utah Hockey Club signs Mikhail Sergachev from Tampa Bay Lightning

The Utah Hockey Club announced Saturday that the club has acquired defenseman Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defenseman JJ Moser and forward Conor Geekie, a 2024 seventh-round draft pick (199th) and a 2025 second-round draft pick (TOR).

“Mikhail Sergachev is a proven winner and point scorer and has long been one of the best defensemen in the NHL,” said Bill Armstrong, General Manager of the Utah Hockey Club. “Mikhail is a top two-way defenseman in the NHL and you can’t win in this league without a star defenseman. We are thrilled to welcome Mikhail to our organization and look forward to many years with him leading our defense.”

“Signing one of the NHL’s best defensemen – and two-time Stanley Cup winner – underscores our commitment to our fans and our team. We will take the necessary steps to fully realize the potential of this organization,” said Chris Armstrong, President of Hockey Operations for the Utah Hockey Club.

The 26-year-old Sergachev recorded 2-17-19 and 36 penalty minutes (PIM) in 34 games with the Lightning and added an assist in two 2023-24 playoff games. He also blocked 69 shots and averaged 5.39 blocked shots per game, second-best on the team.

The two-time Stanley Cup winner set career highs of 10-54-64 and 53 PIM in 79 games during the 2022-23 season, leading Tampa Bay defensemen in all scoring categories. His 54 assists ranked eighth in the NHL and his 23:49 total ice time (TOI) was the 19th-best in the NHL. He also went 1-2-3 in six playoff games.

The Nizhnekamsk, Russia native played a key role in the Lightning’s two Stanley Cup championships in 2019-20 and 2020-21, scoring the fifth-most goals (121) and sixth-most blocked shots (86) in the NHL during that span.

The 6’3″, 215-pound defenseman has recorded 48-209-257 and 282 PIM in 475 NHL games with the Lightning and Montreal Canadiens. Sergachev has also recorded 9-25-34 and 90 PIM in 100 playoff games with the Lightning.

Sergachev was originally selected by the Canadiens in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft.

Birks, 23, collected 1-13-14 and 64 PIM in 65 games with Wheeling (ECHL) and played in one game with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last season.

In three seasons with the Arizona Coyotes, Moser recorded 16-56-72 and 86 PIM in 205 career games.

Geekie recorded 111-158-269 and 190 PIM in 215 career WHL games.