During a hockey game, players possess the puck for 25 to 35 seconds out of 60 minutes. In other words, players handle the puck for one percent of the entire game. 99% of the game is off-puck play. Players who are good away from the puck receive little recognition. However, these players are crucial to hockey teams. Tampa Bay Lightning Anthony Cirelli fits the bill in this area and here is why he’s crucial to the teams success.
Anthony Cirelli’s Top Off-Puck/Forecheck Archetype
Anthony Cirelli is a fan favourite for the Tampa Bay Lightning due to his work ethic and defensive prowess. On top of that, he furnishes pressure on the forecheck. His off-puck presence is one of the most impactful in the game. Even though he doesn’t touch the puck frequently, Cirelli is one of the most critical players on the roster. He is the type of player who keeps things very simple and does not enter the zone often. Instead, Cirelli always goes to where the puck is going to be.
Pressures and Recoveries
Cirelli was a top forechecker over the past three seasons. Corey Sjanzder grades Cirelli in the upper echelon of off-puck stats (All Three Zones micro-stats tracking project). Cirelli was in the 98th percentile of forecheck pressures per 60 in 2023. In addition, he ranked in the 89th percentile of forecheck pressures in 2022.
On top of pressuring the puck, Cirelli is gaining possession. He placed in the 81st percentile of recovered dump-ins per hour in 2022. Moreover, Cirelli graded in the 94th percentile of recovered dump-ins in 2021.
The Three Tiers of Forecheckers
There are three tiers of forecheckers. The third tier compiles players who can pressure the puck. Then, tier two consists of players recovering the puck following the pressure. Finally, tier one contains the players who can pressure the puck, steal the puck, and create scoring chances. Cirelli places in tier one based on the tracked stats.
How Off-Puck Play Translates To Success
Cirelli helps the Lightning sustain pressure in the offensive zone. The offensive zone 2-3 press that Tampa Bay has adopted over the past couple of seasons has been very effective. Cirelli fits like a glove in this system. Furthermore, the Lightning are good at maintaining possession in the zone and caving teams in. Cirelli controls 52.97% of the on-ice expected goals at 5v5 from 2021-23. He ranked in the 98th percentile of cycle/forecheck offence per hour in 2023. Additionally, Cirelli placed in the 84th percentile of chances per 60 and the 94th percentile of chance assists per 60 last season.
Anthony Cirelli (@acirelli22) with some smart patience to the backhand. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/ThJoFFIeJO
— NHL (@NHL) February 22, 2023
Continuing, a big part of the game is getting open for linemates. Players need to be in the right place at the right time to score goals. Cirelli is an example of a player getting open in high-danger areas. This stat aligns with his strength away from the puck. Cirelli placed in the 84th percentile of shots off high-danger passes per hour last year. Cirelli will play a massive role for Tampa Bay heading into next season.
Looking Ahead To Next Season
The box score numbers never jumped off the page for Cirelli. His career-best 44 points in 68 games came in 2019-20. Players can be impactful without being fancy and Cirelli is the perfect example of this narrative. He will play the second-line centre role in Tampa Bay next season. Cirelli consistently matches up against opposing top lines every night, posting A-tier defensive results.
Cirelli missed 24 games last season due to injury. Expect the 2023-24 season to be the best of his career. Cirelli may reach the 50-point plateau for the first time in his career alongside Brandon Hagel and Conor Sheary.
Main Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
