The Utah Hockey Club acquired a defenseman. Mikhail Sergachev Traded for defenseman from the Tampa Bay Lightning JJ MoserFuture Outlook Connor Geekieand a second-round draft pick, reports Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic (Twitter link).
The first big hit of the draft happened, with Tampa Bay giving up a top-line defender and freeing up $8.5 million in cap space, which should put them in good stead to acquire a franchise centerman. Steven Stamkos Things get a little more manageable. Stamkos was reported to be hitting the free agent market on July 1, but the Lightning only had $5.335 million in cap space. With the Lightning moving Stamkos, that number has now risen to $16.5 million, a big difference. Tanner Jeannot and a $2.665 million cap hit to the Los Angeles Kings.
While cap space is no doubt what Tampa is looking for, they would get some strong rewards in return for parting ways with Sergachev. That includes Moser, who has played a strong second-pairing role for the Arizona Coyotes since being selected in the second round in 2021. Just 24 years old, Moser has already played in 205 career games and has 72 points. This year, he has 26 points in 80 games. With or without the puck, Moser is a quick, confident defender who has shown a knack for controlling traffic along his own blue line.
Tampa also acquired prospect Connor Geekie, who was selected 11th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. Geekie has since played the final two seasons of the WHL, appearing in a combined 55 games with the Wenatchee Wild and Swift Current Broncos this season, recording 99 points. Not to be outdone, Geekie also added nine points in nine postseason games. Geekie is a hulking forward, standing 6'4″ and weighing 197 pounds. His ability to move his weight has improved significantly since his draft year, and his movement with the puck on his stick is much smoother this season. Geekie signed an entry-level contract after his first year with Swift Current, and will play his first professional season in 2024-25.
And in exchange for spending a significant amount of money, Utah got a true top defenseman, finally ending a player search that had plagued them. Jacob Chychrun, Shayne Gostisbeareand Shawn DargeBut none of those options could fit the role, leading Utah to bring in a replacement for the Lightning star. Victor HedmanSergachev played a key role for the Lightning in 2017 after being acquired in a trade for the forward. Jonathan DrouinHe recorded 40 points in 79 games in his rookie season with Tampa Bay, quickly getting plenty of ice time and hasn't let it go since. Sergachev recorded at least 30 points in each of the next four seasons, and recorded a career-high 10 goals and 64 points in the 2022-23 season. It was the breakout fans were waiting for, but his encore this season was cut short due to two long-term leg injuries. He'll now have to continue performing in a new jersey as he joins the NHL's newest franchise.
There's more to come…
