For Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev The current season of the National Hockey League can be called perhaps the most difficult in the career of the star Russian. The two-time Stanley Cup winner has received a huge amount of criticism since the start of the championship. It develops not least because of Mikhail’s salary.
As of this season, Sergachev has a new contract with the Lightning, which makes the Russian the team’s highest paid defender. However, in North America, many believe that the club allegedly overestimated the talent and skill of the 25-year-old hockey player. This opinion is expressed especially often against the backdrop of Sergachev’s own results. In terms of utility, Mikhail is the worst among Tampa defenders this season, and in 33 regular-season games he scored 19 points (2+17). More is expected from a player with an $8.5 million cap hit.
Every professional faces similar challenges. But in the case of Sergachev, health problems become an additional complication. This season, the Russian has already missed a considerable part of the championship. On December 20, in a match with the St. Louis Blues, Mikhail suffered an injury to his left leg while blocking an opponent’s shot. Through pain, he finished the episode, but then went to the bench, and from there to the locker room, ending his participation in the match ahead of schedule.
It seemed that the damage was unlikely to be serious, but in the end, because of it, Sergachev missed 1.5 months, or, to be more precise, 17 matches. During this period, Tampa appreciated the full significance of the Russian. Especially given the absence of another key defender, Erik Cernak.
Today was supposed to be a significant day for both. Both Sergachev and Chernak finally returned to the Lightning's playing lineup and entered the squad for the match with the New York Rangers. However, for Mikhail it, unfortunately, ended ahead of schedule.
In the second period, Tampa's Russian defender was injured in a seemingly ordinary episode: while using a force move against the Rangers' star forward Alexis Lafreniere, Mikhail fell very badly. His left leg — the same one that Sergachev injured a month and a half ago — twisted in an extremely unnatural way. On repeat this moment looks very creepy, just watching the episode makes you sick. It’s scary to imagine the pain Mikhail himself experienced.
The match was interrupted for several minutes. During this time, doctors provided first aid to the Russian and also prepared a stretcher, because Mikhail had no opportunity to leave the site on his own. The victim was also surrounded by teammates and Rangers players. It is noteworthy that hockey players from both teams lined up next to Sergachev in full strength. They all expressed their support for the Russian. Especially Lafreniere — from his facial expression one would think that the Canadian was experiencing a feeling of guilt. Although in the episode with the collision with Mikhail, the Rangers forward was not guilty of anything. The Russian’s injury is a sad accident.
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“We have biological families, but you spend almost your whole life with these people (hockey ones). This goes beyond hockey. "Rangers" took care of Mikhail. They all left their bench for this. When it comes to situations like this, it becomes something more than just hockey,” Tampa’s head coach said emotionally. John Cooper after the match.
Because of the pain and tragedy of the moment, Sergachev could hardly hold back his tears. He left Madison Square Garden on a stretcher to the applause of fans of both teams. The Russian even managed to thank the audience for this support, showing them his thumb. John Cooper personally immediately rushed after him, but soon the Lightning mentor returned to the coaching bridge. There was more than enough disappointment and grief on his face.
And this is obvious. There is not much time left before the playoffs, and Tampa has lost one of its leading players, a replacement for whom it will be almost impossible to find. How serious Sergachev’s injury turned out to be is currently unknown. Information about this will be published later based on the results of the medical examination. But it is obvious that the Russian has been out for a very long time. Perhaps even before the end of the season. Although John Cooper tries not to let such thoughts come to himself.
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"I don’t know. «Let's not think like that,» said the Tampa coach. to journalists in response to the question whether Sergachev would drop out before the end of the season.
I would like to. Hello to Mikhail! And also strength and patience to overcome such a difficult period.
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