Mikhail Sergachev was traded to the Utah Hockey Club by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.
The Lightning received defenseman J.J. Moser and forward Conor Geekie, a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Sergachev had 19 points (two goals, 17 assists) in 34 regular-season games for the Lightning, missing significant time because of a knee injury. He returned in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and had one assist in two games.
The 26-year-old defenseman, who was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round (No. 9) of the 2016 NHL Draft, has 257 points (48 goals, 209 assists) in 475 regular-season games for the Lightning and Canadiens and 34 points (nine goals, 25 assists) in 100 playoff games.
“Mikhail Sergachev is a proven winner and point producer and has been one of the best shut-down defenseman in the NHL for a sustained period of time,” Utah general manager Bill Armstrong said. “Mikhail is a top two-way NHL defenseman, and you cannot win in this League without a star, elite defenseman. We are thrilled to welcome Mikhail to our organization and look forward to many years ahead with him leading our blueline.”
Sergachev, who won the Cup with Tampa Bay in 2020 and 2021, has seven years remaining on an eight-year, $68 million contract ($8.5 million average annual value) he signed with the Lightning on July 13, 2022.
“Bringing in one of the premier defenseman in the NHL — and a two-time Stanley Cup champion –demonstrates our commitment to our fans and to our team that we will take the necessary steps to drive this organization towards its potential,” Utah president of hockey operations Chris Armstrong said.
