Lightning re-sign Sergachev to three-year, $14.4M deal

Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev has signed a new three-year deal. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Lightning re-sign Mikhail Sergachev to three-year, $14.4 million deal

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 11/25/20

The Tampa Bay Lightning are bringing back a key member of their defensive unit for the 2020-21 season and beyond.

Tampa Bay announced Wednesday that Mikhail Sergachev has agreed to a three-year, $14.4 million deal worth $4.8 million annually. He's now the third-highest paid defenseman on the Lightning roster behind Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh.

We have re-signed Mikhail Sergachev to a three-year contract worth $4.8-million AAV!

: https://t.co/1sY3hkEdaA pic.twitter.com/ucPFyqdYOo
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 25, 2020

Sergachev has been a staple in Tampa Bay's defense since being traded to the club in 2017 from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Jonathan Drouin. In three years with the Bolts, the 22-year-old has notched 106 points (26 goals, 81 assists) in 224 regular-season games.

The Russian defenseman played a large role in Tampa Bay's Stanley Cup victory last season, tallying 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 25 games.

With Sergachev under contract, it'll be difficult for the Lightning to make any more moves without dumping salary elsewhere. It's going to be difficult, but the Bolts still have to clear space if they want to retain Anthony Cirelli and Erik Cernak, who are restricted free agents.

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