The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed three of their key players to eight-year contract extensions. Mikhail Sergachev, Anthony Cirelli, and Eric Cernak inked their new deals on the first day of Free Agency. These Tampa Bay Lightning signings keep the young core of the team intact for the foreseeable future.
Defenceman Sergachev re-signed for eight years and $68 million, an average annual value of $8.5 million. Next, forward Anthony Cirelli re-upped with the team for eight years and $50 million, an AAV of $6.25 million. The final key piece to resign was defenceman Cernak. His is also an eight-year deal for $41.6 million, an AAV of $5.2 million.
We’ve signed Mikhail Sergachev, Anthony Cirelli, and Erik Cernak each to an eight-year contract extension.https://t.co/xruDCctKWL
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) July 13, 2022
Lightning Try to Keep Roster Intact
The signings demonstrate that the Lightning is doing its best to keep as many key pieces of their recent Cup-winning team together.
Sergachev had seven goals and 38 points in 78 games last season with the Lightning. In the playoffs, he had two goals and 10 points as Tampa Bay lost in the Stanley Cup Final in six games to the Colorado Avalanche. He was initially drafted by the Montreal Canadiens but was traded to the Lightning in 2017. He played a top 4 role on their defence for both of their recent Stanley Cup victories in 2020 and 2021.
Cirelli, 24, had 17 goals and 43 points in 76 games last season. In 294 career NHL games, he has 66 goals and 159 points. He was drafted by the Lightning in the third round of the 2015 NHL draft. He was also part of their recent back-to-back championships. Cirelli has become an important two-way player for the Lightning.
The 25-year-old Cernak had a goal and 13 points in 55 games last season. He has 16 goals and 59 points in 226 career NHL games. He brings a shutdown element to Tampa’s blueline along with some size and toughness. Last season, he led the Lightning in hits.
Although the Lightning has lost some important players from their recent championship teams, they are doing all they can to keep notable key pieces.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed defensemen Mikhail Sergachev and Erik Cernak and forward Anthony Cirelli to massive eight-year deals: https://t.co/MupscaAeuD
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) July 13, 2022
