Lightning, Sergachev agree to eight-year, $68M extension

July 13, 2022 - 9:15pm

Tampa Bay Lightning re-sign defenceman Mikhail Sergavhev to an eight-year, $68M extension prolonging his stay with the team to over a decade.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed defenceman Mikhail Sergachev to an eight-year extension worth $8.5 million per season.

Sergachev, who became a pending restricted free agent when Wednesday's free agency period opened, has one year remaining on the three-year bridge deal he signed with the Lightning in November 2020, which carries a $4.8 average annual value. Once the new pact kicks in for the 2023-24 season, he’ll be the club’s highest-paid defenceman -- fitting, considering the expanded role he'll take on Tampa Bay's blue line with the recent departure of veteran Ryan McDonagh via trade.

Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois kicked off the new league year with a trio of long-term signings to keep his Cup-calibre core intact and extending the window of contention. The team also announced on Wednesday eight-year extensions for both Anthony Cirelli and Erik Cernak. Cirelli's new deal has an AAV of $6.25 million while Cernak's comes in at $5.2 million.

Sergachev, 24, began his NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens after being drafted ninth overall in 2016, but played just four games there before being dealt to Tampa Bay where he's been a mainstay on defence ever since.

COMMENTS

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.