‘He Can Do Everything’: How Mikhail Sergachev Has Made Utah a Serious Playoff Contender
SALT LAKE CITY — When Bill Armstrong, the general manager of the Arizona Coyotes, started working the phones this offseason, he probably didn’t expect his efforts to lead to a seismic shift for the franchise. But that’s exactly what happened, and it’s why Ryan Smith’s phone wouldn’t stop buzzing.
Armstrong’s task was clear: build a competitive team while staying conservative with salary cap spending. Historically, the Coyotes operated near the cap floor, but with the team relocating to Salt Lake City and rebranding as the Utah Hockey Club, new owners Ryan and Ashley Smith had a different vision. They wanted more than just a new name, logo, and location—they wanted to send a message that the rebuild was over. And they did just that by acquiring top-pairing defenseman Mikhail Sergachev.
“I got a text from a bunch of different people about him, getting Johnny Marino and some of the other players that we’ve got,” Ryan Smith said. “But you also don’t want to be dumb. You don’t want to come in right at the beginning and throw and push above where we are as a team.”
Utah’s Big Offseason Moves
Landing Sergachev in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning was just the beginning. The Utah Hockey Club added five players in total, increasing their salary cap spending by $19 million. This was a stark contrast to the franchise’s historically frugal approach in Arizona and a clear sign that the Smiths were ready to invest in building a winner.
The team already had a promising young core, including captain Clayton Keller, Barrett Hayton, Lawson Crouse, Sean Durzi, Matias Maccelli, and Nick Schmaltz. The challenge was finding the right pieces to complement this group and take the team to the next level.
Sergachev’s Impact
Sergachev, a 26-year-old, two-time Stanley Cup champion, was exactly what Utah needed. He’s a defenseman who can do it all: log heavy minutes, create offense, disrupt plays, quarterback a power play, and anchor a penalty kill. In Tampa Bay, he was a No. 1 defenseman-in-waiting behind Victor Hedman, but in Utah, he’s the undisputed top blueliner.
“That all sounds great until you play,” Sergachev said. “You gotta deserve that role first of all and show it in the season. You can’t just be like, ‘We’ll give you 30 minutes.’ I’ve got to go in and show them that I’m ready for all those things.”
Building a Winning Culture
Ryan Smith, who also owns the Utah Jazz, has taken a hands-on approach to team ownership. He believes in being involved enough to make informed decisions while trusting his staff to execute their vision. This philosophy was evident in the offseason discussions between Smith, Armstrong, and Utah’s president of hockey operations, Chris Armstrong. They identified defense as a priority, which set the stage for the Sergachev trade.
Armstrong’s strategy was bold: he called every NHL team to inquire about their No. 1 defenseman. While most GMs were respectful, some chuckled at the audacity of the request. But persistence paid off when the Lightning called back with a proposal for Sergachev. After some negotiation, the deal was finalized, with Utah sending defenseman J.J. Moser, prospect center Conor Geekie, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2024 seventh-round pick to Tampa Bay.
Overcoming Challenges
Sergachev’s journey hasn’t been without obstacles. He fractured the fibula and tibia in his left leg on Feb. 7, which sidelined him until the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The injury forced him to reevaluate his priorities and focus on playing the game the right way.
Now healthy, Sergachev has been a cornerstone for Utah. He leads the team with 25:24 in average ice time, ranking fifth in the NHL, and is projected to finish with his first 20-goal season. His versatility and skill set have been invaluable, especially with injuries to key defensemen Sean Durzi and John Marino.
Defensive Strengths and Offensive Struggles
Utah’s defensive metrics have been impressive. According to Natural Stat Trick, the team ranks second in high-danger goals allowed per 60 minutes and seventh in high-danger scoring chances allowed. However, their offense has been less consistent, ranking 19th in goals per game as of Dec. 9.
Despite these challenges, the team is trending in the right direction. If they remain in playoff contention, Utah has the resources to make a significant move before the March 7 trade deadline, with $23.6 million in cap space and 26 draft picks over the next three years.
Looking Ahead
Armstrong believes the team’s struggles last season, including a 14-game losing streak, have left “scar tissue” that will drive them to be more consistent. With Sergachev leading the way, Utah is poised to make noise in its inaugural season in Salt Lake City.
“That’s a locker room that maybe hasn’t done a ton of winning, but you can see they’re trending the right way,” said former Lightning teammate Alex Killorn. “[Sergachev is] going to be a big piece for them going forward.”
Originally Written by: Ryan S. Clark
