The Tampa Bay Lightning have locked up a key part of their future.
The defending Stanley Cup champions announced Wednesday that they have re-signed defenceman Mikhail Sergachev to a three-year, $14.4-million contract.
We have re-signed Mikhail Sergachev to a three-year contract worth $4.8-million AAV!
: https://t.co/1sY3hkEdaA pic.twitter.com/ucPFyqdYOo— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 25, 2020
The 22-year-old put up a career-high 10 goals in 70 games with the Lightning last season, along with 24 assists, and pitched in with another 10 points in 25 playoff games as Tampa captured its second title in franchise history.
Sergachev – who clocks in at six-foot-three and 216 pounds, and is blessed with a booming shot – was acquired by the Lightning from the Montreal Canadiens during the 2017 off-season in exchange for enigmatic forward Jonathan Drouin.
The native of Nizhnekamsk, Russia has had three straight seasons with 30-plus points, peaking in his rookie year with 40 in 79 games.
Despite his lofty potential, Drouin, the third selection in the 2013 NHL Draft, has topped 50 points just once (2018-19) in three seasons since the trade, struggling to meet expectations in his home province.
Sergachev was originally taken by the Canadiens with the ninth pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.
