Herrejon: Tampa Bay Lightning experiencing Storm Serge

By Dan Herrejon | @DanHerrejon | Like us on Facebook
September 30, 2017

November usually marks the end of the hurricane season in the Tampa Bay area. As the NHL season really begins to kick it in gear, a 19-year-old defenseman begins his Lightning career by taking Tampa by storm.

Mikhail Sergachev, selected by the Montreal Canadiens, was the ninth pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. After seeing action in three early games last season for the Canadiens, Sergachev was sent back to his junior team in the Ontario Hockey League, the Windsor Spitfires to complete the 2016-17 season, though he appeared in the season finale for Montreal on an emergency basis, going on to capture a Memorial Cup title.

In the prior season, Sergachev’s first with Windsor, he led all defenseman in the league with 17 goals. He has a very heavy shot and offensive skills not commonly seen in one so young. He was also third among OHL blueliners in total points tallying 57 points in 67 games. Sergachev earned the Max Kaminsky Award, given to the the most outstanding defenseman in the OHL.

Montreal drafted the kid primarily as a result of this impressive performance in the OHL for the then 18 year-old Russian. When the Canadiens sent him back to Windsor a year ago, the thought of having to top his previous season’s performance must have dawned on Sergachev.

On the surface, it would appear he failed to top his previous season. The goals dropped from 17 to 10. The assists also took a hit falling from 40 to 34. Sometimes, you have to go below the surface to see he also played in 17 less games. Extrapolated out to match the number of games in the previous season and Sergachev would have finished with 13 goals and 45 assists for 58 total points.

There were definite signs however, that Sergachev was rounding out his game. His plus/minus went from 15 to 22. From a team perspective, the biggest change was that the Windsor Spitfires won the 2017 Memorial Cup beating the Erie Otters in the tournament final. Sergachev played a critical role in that championship run, earning a spot on the Memorial Cup All-Star team.

As he finished his second year in Juniors, a couple things were evident about Sergachev. First, he was a quick study. Secondly, the kid had a determination about him to learn. Arriving in North America as a 17 year-old, he learned English so fast that his Windsor coach, Rocky Thompson said in three months, the kid was communicating with his teammates and coaches.

Shortly after the trade sending Sergachev to Tampa in exchange for Jonathan Drouin, Sergachev was interviewed in Russia by Pavel Panyshev of championat.com and he divulged that at 19 years of age, he has already completed college and is planning higher education in the field of Law. This is no ordinary 19 year-old, on the ice or off.

After arriving in Tampa, the initial question for most people in the organization was whether or not the team would send him back to the Juniors prior to Sergachev playing in his 10th regular game of the season. This particular question never entered the teenage mind of Sergachev. During training camp this year. Sergachev confidently told anyone within earshot that he was going to make this team.

Can’t chide the kid who is brimming with this much confidence but he doesn’t just talk the talk. He has dazzled fans with his offensive prowess and at times impressed with his defensive skills. Sure, he’ll make a mistake from time to time but even after only a dozen games, he continues to make noticeable positive adjustments to his overall game.

As of Oct, 31, Sergachev is tied for third among all NHL defensemen with 11 points, two behind current leaders, Shayne Gothisbehere of the Philadelphia Flyers and Alex Pietrangelo. Sergachev also is tied with two others with four goals to lead all defensemen.

Yes, it is early in the season but of the top five defensement in goals scored, Sergachev lags behind the other four in total ice time. Three of the other four are well over 20 minutes a game and the fourth is at 19:38 minutes a game. Sergachev is averaging 13:22 of ice time per game.

Imagine Sergachev getting to 17, 18 minutes a game or more. Sure, he’s young and still adjusting to the speed of the NHL game but the glimpses he shows of the potential is promising. He is competing offensively with some of the league’s best D-men. Sergachev’s production is on the same level without getting anywhere near the same amount of minutes.

To most observers of his play, you forget that the kid is two years removed from leaving his home in Russia without but a handful of English words. Drafted ninth in the first round by an Original 6 team. Helping his Junior team to the Memorial Cup.

Earning the most outstanding defenseman trophy, named to All-Star and All-Tournament teams, the kid is setting a foundation of steady and notable points of success that a great career make. To know that this kid can dangle a puck without ever doing the same to a participle is beyond impressive. Seeing that it is done by a 19 year-old kid is profound.

There are going to be good days and bad in the coming games as Sergachev continues to learn how to be an NHL defenseman. The early results are favorable. The Lightning organization has decided that Sergachev is here to stay. No more Juniors for you!

Being the quick study he is, Sergachev is going to accelerate the learning curve. How much will occur this season? Time will tell. He is surrounded by some fantastic role models for all aspects of the NHL game.

Victor Hedman has been one of the elite defenders in the NHL for the last few years. Anton Stralman is one of the smartest and underrated defensemen. Even veterans like Dan Girardi and Braydon Coburn can teach the kid some of the blue collar defensive skills like blocking shots and playing the penalty kill.

Based on his past, there should be little doubt that Mikhail Sergachev is going to the head of the class. He’ll learn quickly and show his progress with each passing game. Like the storm surge from a high category hurricane, Sergachev (Storm Serge) will hit with power, speed and should make an impact on the Tampa Bay Lightning season this year . . . and beyond.