Utah HC trades for defensemen Sergachev and Marino

LAS VEGAS (ABC4 Sports) – The Utah Hockey Club had 13 draft picks coming into the 2024 NHL Draft, and they’re not using them on just prospect.

Utah HC traded for two veteran defensemen during the second day of the draft in Mikhail Sergachev and John Marino.

Sergachev, who won two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning, was acquired for restricted free agent defenseman J.J. Moser, high-scoring center prospect Conor Geekie, a second-round pick in 2025 and Tampa Bay’s seventh-round pick in 2024.

“Mikhail Sergachev is a proven winner and point producer and has been one of the best shut-down defenseman in the NHL for a sustained period of time,” said Bill Armstrong, general manager of Utah Hockey Club..“Mikhail is a top two-way NHL defenseman, and you cannot win in this League without a star, elite defenseman. We are thrilled to welcome Mikhail to our organization and look forward to many years ahead with him leading our blue line.”

Sergachev played 34 games (19 points) last season for the Lightning, having his regular season cut short when he broke his tibia and fibula. But he worked his way back to play two games in their first-round loss to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

He set career-highs in 2022-23 with 10-54-64 and 53 PIM in 79 games, leading Tampa Bay defensemen in all scoring categories. His 54 assists finished eighth in the NHL and his 23:49 time on ice (TOI) was the 19th-best in the NHL. He also added 1-2-3 in six playoff games. 

In seven seasons with the Lightning, Sergachev amassed 48 goals and 209 assists.

Marino was acquired from the New Jersey Devils for the 49th overall pick, Edmonton’s second-round pick in 2025, while sending pick No. 153 back to Utah.i

Marino is entering the fourth year of a six-year contract he signed with Pittsburgh in January 2021, with a cap hit of $4.4 million. He was traded to New Jersey in 2022 and had a strong season in its run to the playoffs but regressed last season.

As a defensive defenseman, Marino has played in 328 games with 18 career goals and 89 assists.

Both Sergachev and Marino had trade protections in their contracts, but waived them to agree to come to Utah.