Sergachev ready for “big chance” at Utah Hockey Club

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

“At first I was shocked. I didn’t expect that,” the defenseman said Friday of his reaction when he was 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 when he spoke to the media for the first time since the deal, it didn’t take long for him to realize the potential his new team could offer.

“Talking to my agent, talking to some of the players and talking to (Clayton) Keller, everyone has said great things about Utah and the new franchise. Honestly, it’s pretty amazing. The whole setup, the city. I’m very excited. It’s a great opportunity for me to prove myself as a leader. I’m looking forward to it.”

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

Despite the lost time on the ice, he starts the new season as Utah’s best defender.

“We’re in a situation where we want a proven player,” Utah head coach Andre Tourigny said Friday. “Sergey is that kind of player. He’s played in championship games, pressure games. He’s been one of those guys who’s been on the ice in the big moments… We still have a young group of defensemen. He’s going to bring experience. We’re taking a step in the right direction.”

As the 2023-24 season came to a close, Utah general manager Bill Armstrong had to rebuild his defensive lineup from scratch. When the possibility of trading Sergachev arose at the draft, the team seized its opportunity.

“I just thought, ‘When do you get a chance as an organization?'” Armstrong said. “It’s a great opportunity to add a top defenseman to the roster at 26 years old who has already won two championships… We don’t have an opportunity like this anymore and we took it.”

Sergachev scored 257 points (48 goals, 209 assists) in 475 regular-season games and 34 points (nine goals, 25 assists) in 100 playoff games in seven seasons in Tampa Bay. He won the 2020 and 2021 Stanley Cup as a top-four defenseman with 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 to hit, but you have to be smart about it when you’re playing 25, 27 or 23 minutes,” Sergachev said. “I’m just going to use my legs, use my speed and if I need to, I’ll land a punch. But for me, it’s not just about that. It’s about being aggressive everywhere, not just in defense, but in attack as well.”

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

“I don’t like to talk a lot. I tend to follow 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 by example what they can do 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.”