“It Feels Like a Playoff Moment”: Sergachev on Trade to Utah, Leadership & Chasing the Cup

Mikhail Sergachev #98 and Karel Vejmelka #70 of the Utah Hockey Club celebrate their 5-3 win against the Calgary Flames (Photo by Leah Hennel/Getty Images)

Mikhail Sergachev’s trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Utah Hockey Club during the 2024 NHL Draft was one of the most high-profile moves of the offseason. On his new team, the 26-year-old defenseman has become one of the club’s top leaders. Sergachev has not only progressed as a hockey player but also found balance in his personal life. He bought a house in Utah where he now raises chickens and rabbits in the backyard.

During the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, Sergachev, along with his wife and son, took a short vacation to Miami, where he combined rest with training sessions with Adam Oates, a Hockey Hall of Famer and former Washington Capitals head coach.

Despite his training and vacation, Sergachev has been paying close attention to the 4 Nations tournament.

“It was cool. They battled hard, and the hockey had a playoff feel to it. It was interesting. There were some moments where chemistry wasn’t yet there, but still, when you watch a power play unit featuring Crosby, McDavid, MacKinnon, and Makar—it’s amazing. I really enjoyed the game,” said Sergachev in an exclusive interview with RG.

Discussing the players’ attitude toward the tournament, Mikhail admitted that there wasn’t much hype before it started, but as soon as the games began, it became clear that it is a serious competition.

“Before the tournament, we didn’t really feel the hype. It’s strange that there are no Czechs, Slovaks, and, of course, no [Russian national team]. It’s also weird that it’s scheduled in the middle of the season. But now that the games have started, I think people realize that it’s an exciting and serious event. It would have been fun to play. On the other hand, it’s also nice to relax while others are playing,” he said.

Utah’s Playoff Push and Sergachev’s Role

Utah entered the break six points behind the Vancouver Canucks, who currently hold the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. However, Sergachev is confident that this deficit is not critical.

“We just need to win three games, and Vancouver needs to lose three. It’s that simple,” said Sergachev. “We just have to understand that no matter how well we play, winning is the most important thing. There were plenty of games where we played better than our opponents but still lost. And we have the potential to be a very skilled and high-scoring team.”

The defenseman has been through playoff pushes before, but this situation is different. Utah is in its first season since relocating, and with a brand-new roster still learning how to gel, the team is trying to prove it belongs in the postseason conversation. Sergachev sees the challenge but believes in the group’s ability to rise to the occasion.

“We have the pieces. We just have to execute. Sometimes it’s frustrating when we do everything right but still don’t get rewarded. But that’s hockey,” he said. “We can’t dwell on those games. We need to focus on what’s ahead.”

Speaking about his own game in Utah, Sergachev acknowledged some changes in his playing style.

“Honestly, I could jump up in the play more often than I do now, but it’s not always necessary. So I prefer to pinch when it's appropriate,” explained Sergachev. “When you’re playing 28 minutes a night, you can’t be leading the rush every shift. There are specific responsibilities—defending, breaking out, making plays.”

With Utah relying on him as their top defenseman, Sergachev has had to balance his offensive instincts with a more structured defensive approach. He’s been tasked with shutting down opponents’ top lines while also contributing offensively when the opportunity presents itself.

“As a defenseman, my job is to defend, get the puck out of the zone, make a pass, and jump into the play when needed. If I start forechecking like a forward, I’d be doing the work of multiple players, and that would make me three times more exhausted,” said Sergachev. “Sometimes it’s necessary, but staying disciplined is the most important.”

Adjusting to his expanded role has been a process, but Sergachev admitted that he feels like he is growing as a defenseman in Utah. He is expected to lead the blue line, logging heavy minutes against elite competition while mentoring younger players.

“I play more, I have more responsibility—not just for myself, but for my defensive partners and teammates. I’m developing, and I still have a lot of room to grow,” explained Sergachev.

Leadership has naturally come with his role, and while he doesn’t see himself as the loudest voice in the room, he feels his presence is valued.

“The guys trust me. They come up to me, ask for my opinion. That happened in Tampa too, but there were more experienced guys back there,” said Sergachev. “I get really happy when any of my teammates in Utah score a goal—it feels like a playoff moment. We haven’t scored a lot this year.”

Sergachev understands that leadership isn’t about wearing a letter on his jersey—it’s about setting the tone on and off the ice. However, when asked about the possibility of becoming Utah’s first-ever captain, he remained humble.

“I don’t know if I’m ready or not. That’s for the coaches and the GM to decide. I’m not going to appoint myself,” added Sergachev.

Another adjustment this season has been playing in front of a new fanbase. Hockey is still growing in Utah, and the team’s inaugural season has been a learning experience for both players and fans.

“At first, it was clear that they didn’t know much about hockey. But now, when we get a penalty, the whole arena starts whistling, booing, and yelling at the ref. People are engaged,” he said.

The energy in the building has been a pleasant surprise for Sergachev, especially considering Utah’s recent struggles.

“We’ve had rough stretches where we lost three or four straight at home, but the stadium is still packed every night. It’s a very loud arena—it feels like we’re playing in the playoffs. Plus, our arena is considered the loudest in the NBA because of a special aluminum roof. It’s insanely loud. Sometimes you can’t even hear your teammates on the ice. We love it. Especially the guys who used to play in Arizona, in a rink that only held 4,000 people,” he said.

With the final stretch of the season ahead, Sergachev knows what’s at stake. The playoffs are still within reach, and Utah is looking to make history in its first season. The defenseman embraces the challenge and is ready to lead the charge.

Stanley Cup Mentality

In a recent interview with the Russian publication Sport-Express, Chicago Blackhawks forward Ilya Mikheyev said that players who win the Stanley Cup at 18–20 years old play without extra pressure later in their careers. Sergachev, who won two Stanley Cups with Tampa Bay by the age of 23, strongly disagreed with that statement.

Winning early in a career might provide experience, but Sergachev insists that the hunger to win never fades, especially when moving to a different team. He noted that with Tampa Bay, there was an established winning culture, and he stepped into an organization that already had a championship-caliber roster. In Utah, the challenge is different—he is expected to help build that foundation and lead a team still finding its identity. The weight of those expectations, he says, is immense.

“It’s not like you win once and that’s it—you’re satisfied. If anything, it makes you hungrier because you know what it takes. The work, the sacrifice, the mindset. It doesn’t get easier,” he added. “Winning makes you want to win more. You know what it feels like to be on top, and nothing else comes close.”

While striving for that next championship, Sergachev also deals with the physical and mental battles that come with being a top defenseman in the NHL. He acknowledged that there are players across the league who try to provoke him into fights or verbal exchanges.

“The Tkachuk brothers are always throwing hits and talking a lot. In Montreal, there are guys who do that too, trying to get under the skin. In Washington, Tom Wilson used to talk a lot more—now he just hits you and skates away. He knows I’m not going to fight him—I play 30 minutes a night, so it makes no sense for me to fight. Of course, if there’s a real reason—like if someone cheap-shots a teammate—I’ll drop the gloves. But fighting just for the sake of it? Not my thing. Almost every team has guys like that. We’re battling St. Louis for a playoff spot, so every game against them is a physical war.”

Sergachev understands the mind games and physicality that come with being a top-pairing defenseman, but he doesn’t let it dictate his play. Instead, he remains focused on his ultimate goal—turning Utah into a legitimate contender.

NHL Economics and Players’ Union

Recently, it was announced that players will receive full reimbursement of their 6% escrow payments, plus an additional 1.5–2%.

“Yeah, we got a message confirming we’ll get everything back,” Sergachev confirmed.

For many players, this news was a relief. The escrow system, designed to maintain a 50/50 revenue split between players and owners, has long been a source of frustration. During the pandemic, players saw significant deductions from their salaries, and while the league has since rebounded financially, there were lingering concerns about how quickly those losses would be repaid. With this announcement, it signals that the NHL’s revenue streams are stabilizing, allowing players to recoup what was previously withheld.

The projected salary cap increase to $113.5 million in 2027–28 brings mixed emotions for the Utah defenseman.

This kind of disparity has been a concern in past eras of the NHL. Before the introduction of the salary cap in 2005, wealthier teams had the ability to outspend others significantly, leading to competitive imbalances. Sergachev’s concerns highlight the possibility of a similar scenario unfolding if some teams are unable or unwilling to reach the upper limit. The introduction of luxury taxes, similar to what the NBA uses, has been speculated in recent discussions, but nothing concrete has been proposed.

When asked about potential involvement in the NHL Players’ Association, Sergachev responded directly:

“I have no interest in that—it’s a lot of work. I just listen to the smart guys on the team, ask questions when necessary. Everything gets discussed and voted on anyway.”

Despite his reluctance to take an active role, he acknowledges the importance of the NHLPA’s work. Contract structures, escrow negotiations, and revenue-sharing models are all areas where the union’s influence is felt. While some players take on leadership roles within the association, advocating for policy changes and representing their peers in negotiations, Sergachev prefers to focus on his game and let others handle the business side of the sport.