Lightning Sign Sergachev, Cirelli, Cernak to Long-Term Contracts
Day one of free agency came for the Tampa Bay Lightning and they did not disappoint, re-signing Mikhail Sergachev, Anthony Cirelli, and Erik Cernak all to 8-year deals.
The deals are as follows: Sergachev signs for $8.5 million, Cirelli signs for $6.25 million, and Cernak signs for $5.2 million. This assures part of the Lightning core will be around for years to come, possibly playing key roles in another Stanley Cup championship.
The three have been big contributors in the past few seasons, leading the Lightning to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2019-20 and again in 2020-21.
The group has been an integral part of Lightning’s success thus far and now has many more years to remain competitive in that chase once again.
The Lightning have signed Sergachev, Cirelli, and Cernak long-term.
Sergachev came to the Lightning from the Montreal Canadiens in a trade that sent Jonathan Drouin to the Canadiens. Last season, Sergachev posted 7 goals and 31 assists for 38 points in 78 games, along with 59 penalty minutes.
Cirelli has been with the Lightning since his NHL debut, as he was drafted in the 3rd round (72nd overall) in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Last season for Tampa Bay, he recorded 17 goals and added 26 assists for 43 points in 76 games, providing depth to a loaded roster. In his career, Cirelli has 66 goals and 93 assists for 159 points in 294 games.
Cernak came to the Lightning from the Los Angeles Kings in a trade on February 26, 2017. Cernak provides the muscle and toughness on the blueline, earning his paycheck every shift. At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, he uses his frame whenever the opposition comes over the blueline.
He likes the rough style of play, never backing down from a good scrum. Last season, Cernak contributed 1 goal and 12 assists for 13 points, and 46 penalty minutes, in 55 games.
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Tampa Bay has now re-signed three major components in the drive to hoist Lord Stanley once again. Now that they have tasted defeat, they will all come back more driven and determined to show other teams they are not going away quietly.
They now have a purpose and Tampa Bay knows what has to be done.