Mikhail Sergachev Can Help Utah HC Reach Postseason – Hockey Writers – Utah Hockey Club

When the Utah Hockey Club acquired senior defenseman Mikhail Sergachev this summer, they hoped he could be a key player in their hunt for postseason appearances. Let's face it: They gave up two promising young players, JJ Moser and Conor Geekie, to add him to their roster.

The former Arizona Coyotes haven't appeared in the playoffs since the pandemic-filled 2019-20 season when additional teams were added using the “playoff” strategy. While the then-Coyotes were able to get past the Nashville Predators in the first round, they fell to the mighty Colorado Avalanche in five games.

General manager Bill Armstrong knew that, with that history, he needed to tear it down and finish rebuilding. He's been doing just that, and now, with a move to Utah and an owner who supports the hockey team's efforts, things are going well. Armstrong realized he needed to improve his defense, so he went out and traded Sergachev to bolster his blue line. Then, he followed that up with another great D-man in John Marino.

It looks like the starting pairing on the blue line will feature Sergachev and Sean Durzi on his right side. Durzi, who had nine goals and 32 assists for the Coyotes last season, will join Sergachev. Both are offensive threats while also having defensive skills.

Sergachev Won Two Cups

One thing that the newly added Utah team has achieved in Coyotes history is that they have never won a trophy. Of course, Utah is in the same league playing in its first season in the NHL. The difference may be in the addition of players like Sergachev and Kevin Stenlund, whose names are engraved on Lord Stanley's Cup. That experience is important in any lobby where important games are on the line.

Related: Utah's Mikhail Sergachev: From Grassroots to Stardom

Another aspect that really attracted Sergachev to Armstrong was his athleticism. In 100 playoff contests, he has tallied nine goals and 25 assists. He is an excellent puck-possession player with a respectable Corsi 52.2% stat.

Happiness Builds in Utah

Every city, especially Seattle and Las Vegas, knows what it's like to have a new NHL team to watch and follow. Both of these new franchises have been great money-making ventures. You need to know someone to get a ticket to a Vegas Golden Knights game. Their first run to the Stanley Cup Finals in their first season got the fans pumped.

The Seattle Kraken, who are making the playoffs in their second season of existence, have been drawing large crowds to games. They averaged 17,887 last season, while Vegas drew 18,139.

Utah has a small stadium but is renovating the Delta Center to increase its capacity over the next two to three years. The arena is slated for National Basketball Association (NBA) games, and the new owner, Ryan Smith, realizes that fans will grow even more when he sells more tickets to his new NHL games.

The Utah Hockey Club could be headed to the Playoffs

The team has a realistic chance of making the playoffs. The team will be very competitive, with young players like Clayton Keller, Lawson Crouse, Matias Maccelli, Logan Cooley, and Dylan Guenther (recently re-signed). Add them to extend their blue line, and things could be good for them.

Many hidden factors can affect whether a team qualifies for the postseason. Injuries are always a factor, but all teams have to deal with that. According to head coach Andre Tourigny, Sergachev may be the missing ingredient to reach the playoffs. Tourigny allows his players to set their own expectations.

Now we will wait to see how important the purchase of Sergachev becomes as the new season opens in Oct. 8 against the Chicago Blackhawks.