These Bolts Are Here To Stay For A WHILE
Lightning fans rejoice! The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed Anthony Cirelli, Mikhail Sergachev, and Erik Cernak for eight year deals. It looks like general manager Julien BriseBois is doing his best to keep this core team together and is paving the way for the future. Back-to-back-to-back announcements of keeping the young defensemen and forward were made today at the start of free agency. The team also announced their bringing back fan favorite Vladimir Namestnikov for a one year contract.
Mikhail Sergachev has been a solid defensemen since we was drafted in the first round in 2016. At only 24 he has skated has skated in 358 games with the Lightning and has scored 36 goals and 174 points. It looks like the team really believes in his future with the eight year contract valued at 8.5 million annually.
Erik Cernak, who was paired with former defenseman Ryan McDonough, has been with the team since 2017. He has skated in 226 games with the Bolts and has posted 16 goals and 59 points.
Anthony Cirelli is considered to be the “future of the Lightning.” He makes some big plays in some of the biggest moments. His contract is worth an average annual value of $6.25 million.
With all these moves it looks like the Bolts are quickly running out of cap space. Every Tampa fan has been crossing their fingers and toes in hopes to keep Ondrej Palat since he has agreed to test free agency. In order to keep the 31 year old forward, the team would have to consider moving other big name players like Alex Killorn.
Are you happy about the moves that the Lightning have made so far in the off season? Today is only the first day of free agency so don’t be surprised if we lose more valuable players to other teams.
