Utah Acquires Mikhail Sergachev

Utah Acquires Mikhail Sergachev

Mikhail Sergachev broke his leg and miraculously returned during Tampa Bay’s brief playoff run last year. To thank him for those efforts, the Lightning sent him packing to a club that doesn’t even have a real team name yet. Talk about ruthless!

Utah has acquired Sergachev from Tampa in exchange for Conor Geekie, J.J. Moser, a 2025 second-round pick (via Toronto), and the 199th pick.

I think it’s only fair to start with the elephant in the room. We all saw this injury. Is it possible that Tampa Bay just didn’t feel like he would ever recover the same? How can that not be part of the thought process? If the injury never happens, are we sure the team moves on?

Sergachev, 26, had 19 points (two goals, 17 assists) in 34 regular season games last year. The season prior, he had a career high 64 points in 79 games. The former Canadiens first round pick in 2009 also has 34 points in 100 playoff games. Of course, being a vital part of two cup runs in Tampa.

Tampa acquires Moser and Geekie as the two main staples of the deal. Moser, 24, had 26 points in 80 games last year for the Coyotes. Tampa obviously sees Moser as a cheaper replacement who can eventually grow into the Sergachev role. That part remains to be seen.

Geekie, 20, has yet to play in the NHL. However, he did have 99 points in the Western Hockey League this past year.

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