LAS VEGAS — On Friday, at the end of a first round that saw the Utah Hockey Club make the No. 6 overall pick and also trade into the first round for another selection , general manager Bill Armstrong said you can't stop draft picks.
"In the NHL ... there's a lot of things you can't do. But when you have draft picks, nobody can stop you if you pick the right people," Armstrong said. "That's the greatest thing about coming here is that we control our own destiny by who we pick. And when you have those amount of picks, you have options."
Utah flexed that draft capital early on Day 2 and brought two experienced defensemen to Salt Lake City — including one that Armstrong called "one of the best shut-down defenseman in the NHL" and a "star, elite defenseman."
A goal horn sounded loudly and the words "Trade Alert" appeared on the massive LED screen at The Sphere whenever a trade was announced, and it sounded twice in quick succession for Utah on Saturday morning.
Tampa Bay's Mikhail Sergachev and New Jersey 's John Marino are headed to Utah. Both are experienced players on the blue line who are under contract beyond next season.
Sergachev (6-foot-3), a former No. 9 overall pick by the Montreal Canadiens , was acquired by the Lightning and was part of Tampa's Stanley Cup winning teams in 2020 and 2021. He had a career-high 64 points and a plus-minus of plus-13 in 2022-23. He's from Nizhnekamsk, Russia.
" Mikhail Sergachev is a proven winner and point producer and has been one of the best shut-down defenseman in the NHL for a sustained period of time," Armstrong said. "Mikhail is a top two-way NHL defenseman, and you cannot win in this league without a star, elite defenseman. We are thrilled to welcome Mikhail to our organization and look forward to many years ahead with him leading our blueline."
Marino (6-1) played three seasons in Pittsburgh before being traded to the Devils after the 2022 season. He played three seasons at Harvard after being drafted in 2015 in the sixth round by Edmonton . After being traded to Pittsburgh, he turned pro and made the Penguins' roster as a rookie, playing 56 games in the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season.
Utah entered the draft with 13 picks, acquired mostly by taking on bad contracts during the COVID years, where the salary cap flattened.
To acquire Sergachev, Utah sent the following to Tampa Bay:
J.J. Moser, fourth-year defensemen who played 80 games for the Arizona Coyotes last season.
Conor Geekie , a center prospect who was Arizona's first-round selection in 2022.
Pick No. 199 in the 2024 draft.
2025 second-round pick (via Toronto ).
To acquire Marino, Utah sent the following to New Jersey:
Pick No. 49 in the 2024 draft.
2025 second-round pick (via Edmonton).
The screen at The Sphere prior to Utah's selection in the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas. | Aaron Shill
On Friday, Utah made Tij Iginla , son of hockey hall-of-famer Jarome Iginla , the first pick in franchise history. Armstrong then traded into the later end of the first round for the No. 24 pick, sending the No. 38 pick, the No. 71 pick and a second-round pick in 2025 to Colorado . Utah used that pick on Cole Beaudoin , a Canadian center from the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League.
Here's a list of Utah's 11 selections:
6. Tij Iginla, Canada , center, 6-foot-0, 191 pounds, Kelowna of the Western Hockey League
Quotable:"He's an amazing kid. ... He's similar to his dad because he looks exactly like his dad. But, he's his own player to some degree. He's a shooter that can make a play. ... Once he knew he was going to get drafted, I think he just kind of relaxed and then you could start to see his playmaking skills come out. And that's what we love about him is that he sees the right plays in front of him." — GM Bill Armstrong
24. Cole Beaudoin, Canada, center, 6-2, 210, Barrie of the Ontario Hockey League
Quotable:"His work ethic and how he plays the game, I do believe that he is going to be a huge piece of our culture in how he attacks the game with work ethic. He's an impressive kid. He's built like a Utah player should be built. He is a big kid that works and doesn't give an inch away on that ice." — GM Bill Armstrong
65. Will Skahan, United States, defenseman, 6-5, 215, Boston College
Quotable:"I'm fired up. New team. Fresh start. I'm looking forward to someday being a part of this stuff. ... I'm really competitive. I'll do anything to win. When I get to the NHL, I'm here to win."
89. Tomas Lavoie, Canada, defenseman, 6-4, 220, Cape Breton of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League
Quotable:"I heard there's pretty mountains (in Utah), so I can't wait to see the view there."
96. Veeti Väisänen, Finland, defenseman, 6-1, 188, KooKoo of Finland
Quotable:"I think my strengths are more in the defensive zone. I'm pretty good in 1v1 situations. I like to hit."
98. Gregor Biber, Austria, defensemen, 6-3, 187, Rogle Jr. of Sweden
103. Gabe Smith, Canada, center, 6-4, 208, Moncton of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League
Quotable:"Being a longer, lankier player, I need to work on my skating and work on getting quicker and faster. I think I'm a big guy, strong, good around the net and I'm just working to be better in all areas of my game."
135. Owen Allard, Canada, center, 6-2, 199, Sault Ste. Marie of the Ontario Hockey League
153. Ales Cech, Czechia, defenseman, 6-3, 196, Mlada Boleslav of Czechia
167. Vojtech Hradec, Czechia, center, 6-4, 202, Mlada Boleslav of Czechia
Quotable:"Dream come true. I'm super happy. ... Probably the best moment of my life."
190. Ludvig Lafton, Norway , defensemen, 6-2, 187, Farjestad Jr.
