"Tampa mudded" "Guess they can afford to resign Stamkos": NHL fans react as Utah pull off shock Mikhail Sergachev trade from Lightning 

Utah has successfully pulled off a trade for star defenseman Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning. The news was first broken by NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on X (formerly known as Twitter).

"Mikhail Sergachev is being traded to Utah," Friedman teeted.

NHL fans quickly jumped into the comment section to share their opinions on Sergachev's trade.

"Well I guess now they can afford to resign Stamkos." one fan said.

"Tampa mudded," another fan said.

"Your 2025 Stanley Cup Champion Utah Hockey Club" a fan said,

The fans were primarily surprised by the Tampa Bay Lightning's decision to trade Sergachev, despite him being a good defenseman. In the 2022–23 season, he had scored 64 points. Here are some more reactions from fans on X:

"LIGHTNING WHAT ARE YOU DOING," one fan said.

"Opens up room to sign Hedman, but they'll likely still fall short on being able to afford Stamkos," a fan said.

"Unbelievable!! Had to move cap to keep Stamkos but not the one I was thinking. Although Mac and Cernak are a stellar D team," one fan said,

Mikhail Sergachev's trade to Utah, in exchange?

NHL Insider Chris Johnston provided more details into Mikhail Sergachev's trade to the Utah Hockey Club. Utah sent defender J.J. Moser, center Conor Geekie, a 2025 second-round pick, and the No. 199 overall pick in this year's draft to Tampa Bay in exchange for Sergachev, who is contracted until the end of the 2030–31 season with an $8 million cap hit.

Chris Johnston tweeted on X:

"The #TBLightning didn't retain any salary on Mikhail Sergachev, opening up some much needed cap space with a Victor Hedman extension expected to come next week and, maybe, another run at extending Steven Stamkos before he hits the open market."

In February, Sergachev got injured with a fractured tibia and fibula in his lower left leg. He was out of the entire regular season following his injury. Later, he returned in the postseason round-one series against the Tampa Bay Lightning and played in two games. He scored 19 points in 34 games last season.

Here's a look at Sergachev's NHL career stats:

• Points (PTS): 257
• Goals (G): 48
• Assists (A): 209
• Plus/Minus (+/-): 47
• Penalty Minutes (PIM): 282
• Shots (S): 855
• Power Play Goals (PPG): 12
• Power Play Assists (PPA): 72
• Game-Winning Goals (GWG): 9
• Time on Ice per Game (TOI/G): 20:20

---

New Jersey Devils traded John Marino to Utah

Following Sergachev's trade, Utah made their second major trade and acquired defenseman John Marino and a fifth-round pick (No. 153) from the New Jersey Devils. In exchange, they sent the 49th pick in the draft and a 2025 second-round pick (via Edmonton) to New Jersey.

John Marino's stats in five NHL seasons playing for the Penguins and Devils:

• Games Played: 328
• Goals scored: 18 goals
• Assists: 89