Lightning Trade Sergachev, Jeannot in Stunning Few Minutes

In a matter of minutes, the Tampa Bay Lightning made two stunning trades during the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

First up, the Lightning traded defenseman Mikhail Sergachev to Utah in exchange for defenseman J.J. Moser, prospect Conor Geekie, the 199th overall selection in the 2024 entry draft, and a second-round pick in 2025.

Sergachev, 26, played 471 games over seven seasons with the Lightning, totaling 48 goals and 209 assists for 257 points. Sergachev also played in 100 playoff games for the Lightning over those seven seasons, making three trips to the Stanley Cup Finals and winning two Stanley Cups. This past season, he was limited due to back-to-back leg injuries, the second of which saw him out for the remainder of the regular season and the first three games of the Lightning first-round series against the Florida Panthers.

The Lightning acquired the former ninth-overall selection in the summer of 2017 in exchange for forward Jonathan Drouin.

Moser, 24, was the (formerly) Coyotes' second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Fraft. After half a season in the AHL, Moser has played three NHL seasons, recording 16 goals and 72 points in 205 games. Moser is an RFA with arbitration rights.

Conor Geekie, 20, was drafted by the former Coyotes 11th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and recently jumped from Junior to the AHL last season. During his 2023-24 season with both the Wenatchee Wild and Swift Current Broncos of the WHL, Geekie compiled 43 goals and 99 points in just 55 games.

The second trade saw forward Tanner Jeannot get dealt to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for pick 118 in the 2024 NHL draft and second-round selection in 2025.

Jeannot was acquired from the Nashville Predators during the 2023 trade deadline. In one and a half injury riddle seasoned with the Lightning, Jeannot played in 75 regular season games and put up 18 points, while also playing in seven playoff games.

Both of these moves were necessary to clear cap space for a Lightning team still looking to sign their franchise cornerstone in Steven Stamkos. With these moves, the Lightning now have $16.5 million in space to go after Stamkos, rumored forward free agent Jake Guentzel, and anyone else they might need during Monday’s first day of free agency.

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