Mikhail Sergachev already starting to shine under spotlight in Tampa Bay Lightning camp

by Erik Erlendsson | @Erik_Erlendsson | Like us on Facebook
September 17, 2017

BRANDON – Mikhail Sergachev hung around practice following his second day on the ice as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning opting to put in some extra work.

When you see that the extra work involved feeding one-time passes to Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov, you begin to get a glimpse as to what the 19-year-old is all about as a hockey player. Hanging around to practice one-timers with two of the top goal scorers in the league – pretty smart move, kid, pretty smart.

But it shouldn’t come as a surprise, once you start to understand how Sergachev is as a hockey player and a person.

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While talking to Sergachev, it’s easy to forget that he was born and raised in Nizhnekamsk, Russia, and didn’t come to North America until he 17 because there is very little hint of an accent despite only speaking English for two years. He started learning to speak

It’s that same type of drive to succeed that carries Sergachev forward on the ice, as well. And though it’s only three days in to training camp – plus the four days at rookie camp – the former ninth overall pick is making an early impression on trying to earn a spot in the opening night lineup.

”The one thing about Sergachev in the short time I’ve been around him, he’s a really mature, driven kid and he’s definitely not taking anything for granted,’’ Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said.

Sergachev knows there is a spotlight on him in this training camp after being part of a high-profile trade that saw Jonathan Drouin moved to Montreal this summer. Add in that Sergachev was a top 10 pick in the draft just over a year ago and the expectations placed on him from the outside starts to become clear.

While he’s aware of that spotlight, Sergachev pays it no mind as he just goes about his business.

”I push that out,’’ Sergachev said. “I’m not thinking about that because if I start thinking about that, I’m going to be super nervous all the time with everybody watching me, and stuff, so I just don’t do it.’’

So far he’s been able to go about his business and has been able to showcase his skill set, even if it’s just been practice sessions and intrasquad scrimmages.

”He’s got the whole package,’’ Cooper said. “He’s got all the attributes – he’s strong, he’s big, he’s got skill, he can skate and then you look at program and you look at his age and you realize players are developing a lot different now than years ago. He’s really mobile, he can change gears and has that extra gear. He has really good offensive instincts, he’s shifty with the puck and he can make plays when you think the play is over and he can make something out of it. And he’s been defending well. It’s been impressive to watch and the next step will be exhibition games.’’

Want another insight to what drives Sergachev to succeed?

When asked about Sunday’s scrimmage action, he was highly critical of his game when the subject of a hip check he delivered to Alexander Volkov was brought up.

”That’s the only thing I did today,’’ Sergachev said. “The scrimmage didn’t go well for me, I didn’t do anything. A couple of turnovers, I felt like I had to do something.’’

A 19-year-old being hard on himself for his performance in a scrimmage game tends to show a good ability to self-assess.

”As coaches you are not sitting here saying on every shift you have to make a play, so he’s probably just being a little hard on himself,’’ Cooper said. “We didn’t really see it that way.’’

With four preseason games on the schedule this week, the next step in the process would be for Sergachev to suit up in at least one of those games, with Tuesday at home against the Carolina Hurricanes in the preseason opener a good opportunity to give one of the top prospects in the game the chance to debut in a Lightning jersey in front of the home fans.

Cooper said lineup decisions for Tuesday’s game are likely to be made following Monday’s practice session. But it’s clear Sergachev will be plenty of opportunities to showcase himself in game action.

”He’s going to get games, there is no question,’’ Cooper said. “You earn your games and if he’s playing well enough, you get more games. We’ll go from there.’’

Once he gets in to games, Sergachev wants to put his skill set on display and try to make his mark in the battle for a spot on a very crowded Tampa Bay blue line.

”I’m a two-way guy, so I want to show my offensive side as well as my defensive, I want to show I’m mature in the defensive zone by making the right decisions,’’ he said. “In the offensive zone I just want to be creative and make good plays.’’

He’s already off to a good start.

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