The second day of the 2024 NHL draft turned out to be productive for the Russians from the very beginning: already with the 33rd pick, San Jose selected Dynamo forward Igor Chernyshov, then with the 38th pick, Colorado chose Gagarin Cup winner Ilya Nabokov, who became the first goaltender to be selected during this fair, and a minute later…
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THAT. ABSOLUTELY. THIS IS HAPPENING?! An absolutely sensational trade overshadowed all other club picks, as Tampa’s Russian defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, who was one of the team’s defensive leaders and a major part of the Lightning’s two Stanley Cup victories, joined Utah’s NHL rookie roster as a result of the deal.
This transition can really be considered shocking, because Mikhail in recent years has been seen as the main replacement for Victor Hedman as the team’s main defender in the future. Since the transfer from Montreal on the eve of the 2017/2018 season, which became an absolute success for the Lightning, Sergachev has become one of the best defenders in the league; Changes of this caliber are not made every day in the NHL.
During his stay in Tampa, the Nizhnekamsk native played 471 games in the regular season, where he scored 257 (48+209) points, and also played 100 games in the playoffs and, as already mentioned, twice helped the Lightning reach The throphy. . The last season in Florida, however, turned out to be a nightmare for Sergachev: the defenseman appeared on the ice only 34 times, finished the regular season with the worst rating of his career -16 and missed most of the soft championship due to terrible injuries.
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Going in the opposite direction were forward Conor Geekie and defenseman Janis Moser, as well as a second-round pick in the 2025 draft and the 199th overall pick in the 2024 draft. The Swiss defenseman can hardly be considered a suitable replacement for Sergachev, but he is a pretty solid player who can definitely be useful for Tampa. However, he still needs to be kept: Moser’s rookie contract has come to an end and the defenseman is now in restricted free agent status. Giki is unlikely to be expected in the NHL in the near future: the 20-year-old forward only played two games in the AHL last season and spent most of his time in the junior leagues.
At first glance, it may seem like Tampa’s brass has gone mad: who would think of trading one of the team’s key players for hockey players who are definitely not a reinforcement (compared to the one who left), and even for two draft picks? Neither of which are first-round picks?
The answer is pretty simple: The Lightning apparently made a very difficult decision in favor of retaining captain Steven Stamkos, who can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Yesterday, the Canadian’s agent announced that his client should enter the market: the parties could not agree on financial terms, and the presence of only $5.3 million under the Tampa roof greatly limited the club’s capabilities. : It was easy to offer your leader a contract with an impossible good tip of the cap.
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Therefore, the parting with Sergachev can be considered forced: the Russian receives $8.5 million a year, and his exchange gave Lightning much more room for further negotiations with Stamkos, which, obviously, will be conducted in the near future on new terms, because now they have The Lightning, who also traded Tanner Jeanneau to Los Angeles, with $16.5 million in reserve. This move turned out to be very timely for Tampa, because in a couple of days the trade ban in Mikhail’s contract will come into effect.
In addition, the “sale” of Sergachev opens the door to extending the agreement with the same Hedman, for whom next season will be the last under the current contract. Insiders report that the Swede’s new contract with Lightning will be announced on Monday.
Mikhail became the first defenseman signed by Utah, and a few minutes later he was joined by John Marino, who, along with the 153rd pick of this draft, was received by the NHL rookies from New Jersey. The Devils received the 49th pick of the current draft, which they spent on Russian goaltender Mikhail Egorov, and a second-round pick in the next one.
Sergachev now faces a new beginning, likely now as Utah’s first stalwart defenseman.
