Utah Makes Massive Trade Acquiring Sergachev From Lightning For Haul

It was recently reported that Utah was searching for a top pair defenseman and they have found him. They acquired Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for JJ Moser, Conor Geekie, a 2025 second-round pick, and pick 199 (seventh round) in the 2024 draft.

TRADE

To Utah Hockey Club
- Mikhail Sergachev (D)

🔁

To Tampa Bay Lightning
- JJ Moser (D)
- Conor Geekie (C)
- 2025 2nd Round Pick (TOR)
- 2024 7th Round Pick (No.199)
— Daily Faceoff - Fantasy (@DFOFantasy) June 29, 2024

The Lightning very much needed to clear cap space for a couple of reasons. It has been reported that an extension for Victor Hedman should be coming next week and it opens up $8.5 million to have one last effort at signing Steven Stamkos before free agency. The previous offer was $3 million AAV for a long-term deal, but the Lightning can raise that significantly now to keep their captain.

Moser is a RFA and hasn't been signed yet while Geekie will be starting the first year of his entry-level deal after it slid two years post-draft. This also adds a forward with a lot of potential to Tampa Bay to replenish some of what the team has lost over the past number of years. Depth was an issue in 20232-24 and Geekie may be able to help with that immediately.

Sergachev will instantly slot into the top pairing role on the left side and get power-play time along with Sean Durzi. Moser has had two solid seasons in a row as a top pairing d-man and is only 24. This trade suits both teams well in what they needed to do at this time.