SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 14: Mikhail Sergachev #98 of the Utah Hockey Club in action against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on December 14, 2024 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Following a dominant individual season with his new club, Utah Mammoth D-Man Mikhail Sergachev was named to the NHL Network’s “Top 20 Defensemen Right Now” list ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
Well deserved.
Mikhail Sergachev has cracked the NHL Network’s top 20 defenseman list for this season. https://t.co/8x7uuEMxDK
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) August 13, 2025
After being traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning where he spent seven NHL seasons and won two Stanley Cups, Sergachev became the Mammoth’s primary anchor on the blue line as he commanded the top pairing, led the team in minutes and posted a career-best 15 goals.
THAT’S GAME 🤩
Mikhail Sergachev wins it for the @utahhockeyclub with 13 seconds left in @Energizer OT! pic.twitter.com/wfcrya1RGB
— NHL (@NHL) December 19, 2024
Appearing in 77 games for Utah, Sergachev embraced his new role as a No. 1 defensemen with 38 assists, 53 points, 25:07 time on ice per game (career-high) and an 11.4 shooting percentage (career-high).
MIKHAIL SERGACHEV!
He nets the @Energizer overtime winner for @utahhockeyclub in their first-ever visit to Montreal. 👏 pic.twitter.com/Y47PkHWrln
— NHL (@NHL) November 27, 2024
From the moment he pulled his new sweater over his gear, Sergachev was Utah’s most impactful player in the defensive zone.
Whether he was blocking shots, directing traffic, generating turnovers or running breakouts, No. 98 was as calm and collected as they come.
SERGACHEV WITH THE KICK SAVE OF THE YEAR 🤯 pic.twitter.com/P7l39pyxoE
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 13, 2025
In terms of offense, Sergachev also led all Mammoth defensemen in terms of goals, assists, and points as he skated with the top forward line and ran point on the top power play unit.
For his efforts, Sergachev was ranked No. 18 among the NHL Network’s “Top 20 Defensemen Right Now.”
A complete list of the top 20 NHL defensemen can be found below.
Our Top 20 Defensemen Right Now list has a total of:
• 19 total All-Star Game appearances
• 9 All-Rookie team honors
• 6 James Norris Memorial Trophies
• 2 Calder Trophies
• 2 Conn Smythe Trophies
• 9 Stanley CupsWhat do you think of our list?@NHL | #NHLTopPlayers pic.twitter.com/0MaGYS04de
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 13, 2025
Looking ahead to next season, two of the biggest questions surrounding Sergachev will be whether or not he can build off last season and if he has what it takes to transform into a top half No. 1 D-Man in the league.
