The Bolts — all about Sergachev!
Yesterday the Tampa Bay Lightning traded Jonathan Drouin to the Montreal Canadiens for Mikhail Sergachev. I could recap all the news we wrote, or I could point you here to our story stream. Please go there. Today, I’d like to shift the focus away from JDro and onto our new guy.
GeoFitz4 has written a roundup of scouting information about him that will be out at 10 AM today, but to tide us over until then, I suddenly remembered that El Seldo wrote about him as a member of the evil Windsor Spitfires team that stole the glory from Anthony Cirelli and Taylor Raddysh to win the Memorial Cup. Let’s see what he had to say…
Sergachev enjoyed winning the Memorial Cup as teammate of Leafs prospect Jeremy Bracco, although at first he had difficulties adjusting to Bracco’s play. “To be honest with you, at first we couldn’t do anything,” Sergachev said. “We couldn’t connect with him on the ice because he was just so much different. He’s another level of player. And now he played his best and our team played its best.” [Pension Plan Puppets]
The Montreal Gazette followed up on Sergachev’s Memorial Cup victory. “Sergachev, a native of Nizhnekamsk, Russia, has always been a fast learner and picked up English quickly during his rookie junior season while winning the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the Ontario Hockey League’s top defenceman before being drafted by the Canadiens. He also learned to play hockey quickly after only starting to skate when he was 9.” [Gazette]
And here’s an interview he did right after winning the Cup:
Here’s a short piece by the Habs’ NHL site about his play during the Memorial Cup. “Sergachev earned an assist on the game’s opening goal, finishing his tournament with four points in four games (1G-3A), nine shots on goal, two penalty minutes, and a plus-three differential.” [Canadiens]
Over a year ago, before the 2016 entry draft, people were fanposting on Leafs sites about scouting him as a prospect. “Sergachev is a top ten talent in this draft; I’ll get that out of the way. Ranked #9 by the ISS, he’s got the makings of an elite two-way defender and deserves to be up there with Chychrun and Juolevi, competing to be the first defenseman off the board.” [Pension Plan Puppets fanpost]
The big question I have is, will he play well with our Swedish defenders?
By the way, Montreal is… there’s a metaphor I won’t use because I’m a mother and I wouldn’t want a youngster to read it, but… Montreal is extremely excited about getting Drouin “back home.” Yesterday afternoon we wrote about rumors regarding Drouin heading to the Habs, and were pooh-poohed as click-mongering rumor chasers. Today, TSN is writing the most florid purple prose about Drouin. Enjoy wiping off your monitor after you read this. [TSN]
Drouin’s agent Allan Walsh said he and TB hadn’t yet talked contract $. “Jo would have been very happy to sign a new deal in Tampa.”
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) June 16, 2017
Eh, whatever, too late now. I think Drouin will be happy where he’s going, and I’m happy for him.
Bienvenue à Montreal @jodrouin27 On est content de t’avoir avec nous mon chum! @CanadiensMTL
— Phillip Danault (@phildanault) June 15, 2017
Bye.
The Crunch
Allovimo and Brandon recorded a CrunchCast that wrapped up the long, intense playoff series with a bow. Alex says she only felt heart-rending pain for 95% of this podcast. “It was a season that we will never forget. Thank you to the players, coaches, fans, and the front office for the incredible memories.” [Raw Charge]
#SyrCrunch Head Coach Benoit Groulx discusses what he learned this year, how he thinks this team will be remembered & his love for Syracuse. pic.twitter.com/CZhsGArRSC
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) June 15, 2017
This was beautiful and fun. Top 11 moments of Syracuse Crunch’s Calder Cup playoff run (videos, pictures). [Syracuse.com]
Syracuse Crunch’s Cory Conacher: ‘I want to get one more shot in the NHL’. Come on down, Honey Badger! [Syracuse.com]
The Crunch said farewell to goalie coach David Alexander:
Thank you for the past four seasons and good luck in the show, @coachxander! pic.twitter.com/lZP7FFqf6m
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) June 15, 2017
The Game
Brandon Prust wants to return to the NHL — hahahahahahhaa **** no. [NBC]
Southern hockey is good for the League, y’all. Nashville Predators: Success for the Predators, good news for NHL. “With a vibrant city drawing new people to it daily, a loyal fan base that will do anything for its teams, and an untapped market that presents ample opportunities for the NHL. Why not cheer for the up and coming Nashville Predators?” [Fansided]
Dan Girardi to have contract bought out by Rangers. Aw, Bye Dan. [NHL]
Expansion draft forces NHL teams to make tough choices. “Teams across the league are having to shuffle their decks with buyouts, trades and signings as they prepare for the Las Vegas Golden Knights to poach a player at the first NHL expansion draft in 17 years next week. Clubs have until Saturday morning to submit a limited list of players that Vegas can’t touch.” [Toronto Star]
