Coming into this season, Mikhail Sergachev was expected to take on an increased role with the Lightning following the big losses of Ryan McDonagh and Jan Rutta.
Sergachev has done that and more this season as he has recorded 10 points in 11 games and has played well over 20 minutes in every single game. Playing over 20 minutes was expected to become the norm this year, but the offensive production has been even better than expected.
In the last two games without Hedman in the lineup, Sergachev has three points to his name, with two of them coming on the power play. With Hedman’s absence, Sergachev has taken on his role of quarterbacking the top power play unit that has three goals in the two games.
Mikhail Sergachev (@sergachev31) getting the @TBLightning on the board with authority. 💥 pic.twitter.com/5jEIIcvZUh
— NHL (@NHL) November 2, 2022
As his career has gone on, Sergachev has increased his ice time each year, especially with special teams playing on the power play and penalty kill.
The Lightning couldn’t hang on in the shootout, and the Canes won in the 5th round. Andrei Vasilevskiy did everything he could tonight with a career-high 54 saves. #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/9gwWNfdpHx
— Channelside Sports Network (@chsidesports) November 4, 2022
We have known for a while what Sergachev can bring to the table offensively, but recently it has been his defense, especially on the penalty kill that has improved the most. He has regularly been coming over the boards first while shorthanded and even had several key blocked shots that helped the Lightning secure a point in Thursday night’s game.
Nobody can replace Hedman, but there is no reason to rush his return because Sergachev has been able to hold things down as the top Lightning defenseman in his absence.