Utah Hockey Club makes a splash by trading for 2 veteran defenseman
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Hockey Club didn’t wait until it was on the clock to make a big splash on the second day of the NHL draft.
Utah used its immense draft capital to swing two trades and quickly rework its blue line.
First, Utah got Tampa Bay defenseman Mikhail Sergachev in the first major deal from the new NHL franchise. Utah sent J.J. Moser, Conor Geekie, pick No. 199 in the 2024 draft, and a 2025 second-round pick to Tampa Bay to acquire Sergachev.
Utah then traded the No. 49 pick and 2025 second-round pick for Pittsburgh defenseman John Marino.
Utah only had one blue liner under contract heading into the draft; they’ve suddenly added two young veterans who will contribute immediately.
Sergachev, 26, has been a mainstay in the NHL since he was 19 and is widely seen as a top 20 defenseman. He was limited to 34 games last season after fracturing the tibia and fibula in his lower left leg.
In 2022-23, his last full season, he finished with 54 assists for the Lightning. Sergachev is under contract through the 2030-31 season after signing a massive eight-year extension in 2022.
Marino has played five seasons in the NHL and has averaged over 20 minutes of ice time in each one. Last season, he had four goals and 21 assists. Marino has three years left on his current deal.
This story will be updated.