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Mikhail Sergachev Surprises Many in his Best Season with Tampa Bay Lightning

By Alfred Ezman

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 09: Mikhail Sergachev #98 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates after shooting the go-ahead goal against the New York Rangers during the third period in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on June 09, 2022 in New York City. The goal was later credited to Ondrej Palat #18 of the Tampa Bay Lightning . (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 09: Mikhail Sergachev #98 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates after shooting the go-ahead goal against the New York Rangers during the third period in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on June 09, 2022 in New York City. The goal was later credited to Ondrej Palat #18 of the Tampa Bay Lightning . (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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In his sixth season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, defenseman Mikhail Sergachev put up some impressive numbers. He has always been a great defender on the ice and this season was no different. His offense from this past season also stands out on the stat sheet.

On the defensive end of the rink, the Russia native had 149 blocks and 128 hits while playing the most minutes on ice he has had in any season in his career (1,881 minutes). He averaged around 24 minutes a game.


The efficiency on this end was very solid for the Lightning to see still early on in his career. His season was particularly impressive considering his increased role following the departure of Ryan McDonagh

On offense, Sergachev put up 64 points, the most he has ever had in a season shattering the old highest season total by 24 points. Of those 64 points, he had 10 goals and the remaining 54 points came in the assist department.

Despite a quiet playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the regular season numbers were something to marvel at. The 24-year-old skater played the majority of the season (79 games) and his efficiency in offensive zones was masterful.

The assist total the defenseman had this season was very shocking as the next highest season total he had in this statistical category was 31 in both the 2017-18 season and 2021-2022 season.

Much like other defenseman in Tampa Bay, Sergachev is an ultra-aggressive player with a knack to make his presence felt on the ice. At 6 feet and 1 inches tall, he can use his versatile size to squeeze into multiple shooting lanes to block shots or draw hits on opposing players.

The production Tampa Bay saw from Sergachev this season makes the Bolts very confident in his future in the NHL. He is so young and already has a sense of the cup-winning culture that is in Tampa Bay. On top of that, he has played in 70+ games in five of his six seasons with the Lightning.

His new contract with the Bolts is a 8-year, $68 million deal that will last through the 2031-32 season. With the insane spike in production he had this season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have a star defenseman locked up for years to come.

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