Speculation: 2024-2025 General Lightning Discussion: Preseason Edition

[LeafLoyalist]

First of all I don't blame Cirelli for his contract and lack of top6 production. I blame JBB for giving Sergachev, Cirelli, Vasi, and Cernak big contracts without taking a step forward. This is the same gm overpaying with draft picks and salary for talent that doesn't produce like Sheary,Jeannot,Atkinson,Dehann, Vladdy,and Myers during this same time. The only contract given that a player has taken a step forward is Hagel. Cirelli is a third line center on a cup winning team and a second line center on a fringe playoff team. Back to back cups as a third line center and back to back early playoff exits as a second line center. Cirelli is a guy we should not have given 8 years at almost seven million dollars. He would have been a great deat around 5 million or less for 4 to 5 years. I would love to see Cirelli evole into a top 6 center producing 60 plus points with a plus 40 with his elite defensive skill set, but nothing is showing that will even happen. Maybe we get lucky and he becomes Chandler Stevenson out of no where training with Kucherov.

Playoff ice time (2020-2022) 2 Stanley Cup Wins & 3 Cup Final Appearances
TOI (Forwards - Tampa)

Cirelli (2nd TOI, 1st SHTOI next closest 57 mins less, 9th PP time, 1st GP, 2nd OT TOI, 1st Shifts
Never seen a 3rd line center play so much and be valued highly in the playoffs
And those mins are against the best of the best in the NHL, not 3rd/4th liners, and not to mention the lowest PP time of any of the top 9 forwards.
There is underrated value beyond G/A, especially when a player doesn't have the luxury of padding points on the PP

Stevenson had 1 21 goal season in 8 seasons with regular PP time, Cirelli gets scraps of PP time....not even a comparison and 39 pts in 95 Playoff games...Cirelli has 42P in 103 GP and is only 27

Player	GP	TOI	EV TOI	PP TOI	SH TOI	TOI/GP	EV TOI/GP	PP TOI/GP	SH TOI/GP	OT TOI	OT TOI/OT GP
Nikita Kucherov	71	1439:36	1187:55	250:27	1:14	20:17	16:44	3:32	0:01	80:50	5:03
Anthony Cirelli	71	1336:17	1089:06	69:31	177:40	18:49	15:20	0:59	2:30	80:31	5:02
Ondrej Palat	71	1289:00	1130:33	149:19	9:08	18:09	15:55	2:06	0:08	80:26	5:02
Alex Killorn	66	1249:40	968:27	160:33	120:40	18:56	14:40	2:26	1:50	80:41	5:23
Brayden Point	55	1076:29	886:34	188:02	1:53	19:34	16:07	3:25	0:02	76:20	5:27
Yanni Gourde	48	862:23	750:20	65:59	46:04	17:58	15:38	1:22	0:58	72:20	5:34
Blake Coleman	48	818:53	711:00	6:59	100:54	17:04	14:49	0:09	2:06	67:04	5:10
Steven Stamkos	47	802:47	616:15	180:09	6:23	17:05	13:07	3:50	0:08	16:29	2:21
Barclay Goodrow	43	763:53	652:12	4:36	107:05	17:46	15:10	0:06	2:29	59:12	4:56
Patrick Maroon	71	740:28	669:42	70:37	0:09	10:26	9:26	1:00	0:00	45:47	2:52
Tyler Johnson	48	625:34	556:55	68:21	0:18	13:02	11:36	1:25	0:00	53:44	4:08
Ross Colton	46	537:33	504:15	30:25	2:53	11:41	10:58	0:40	0:04	7:56	1:08
Nicholas Paul	23	421:00	324:47	28:30	67:43	18:18	14:07	1:14	2:57	6:47	2:16
Brandon Hagel	23	329:52	323:02	3:06	3:44	14:21	14:03	0:08	0:10	9:41	3:14

 

[JoVel]

No one has ever explained to me why there's a Leaf fan who mostly posts to defend Anthony Cirelli. It is kind of funny though.

 

[LeafLoyalist]

No one has ever explained to me why there's a Leaf fan who mostly posts to defend Anthony Cirelli. It is kind of funny though.

Easy answer...this is the type of player the Leafs have always lacked, and one of the main reasons we are not able to find playoff success. Having played Tampa in 2 of the last 3 playoffs easily shows what value he brings to a team, when a coach strategizes around a player, that has to mean something

 

[These Are The Days]

Man this offseason has gone on way too long

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Man this offseason has gone on way too long

Hence why we need someone (preferably a prospect) to pop off and impress us in training camp.

 

[DistantThunderRep]

So kucherov carries a team on his back for 2.5 million dollars per season and Cirelli hold back the second line. He hasn't progressed offensely since his second or third season really. He is the type of guy you RFa and give a bridge deal, but don't waste almost 7 million of cap space on.
View attachment 897137

You missed the point completely. But its understandable because you are just spiraling into some awkward rage induced summer break. Its ok...The point was 144 points being only a +8, maybe the +/- issue was a team problem or maybe....not a good indication of impact? But no...it couldn't be that.

Man this offseason has gone on way too long

Some people are f***ing losing it. Its insane. Its worse this year than any year before. I guess I get it because of the Stammer stuff. But holy hell.

 

[These Are The Days]

You missed the point completely. But its understandable because you are just spiraling into some awkward rage induced summer break. Its ok...The point was 144 points being only a +8, maybe the +/- issue was a team problem or maybe....not a good indication of impact? But no...it couldn't be that.


Some people are f***ing losing it. Its insane. Its worse this year than any year before. I guess I get it because of the Stammer stuff. But holy hell.

Cirelli and JB are both gonna need to buy another lock on their doors

 

[Stammertime91]

Playoff ice time (2020-2022) 2 Stanley Cup Wins & 3 Cup Final Appearances
TOI (Forwards - Tampa)

Cirelli (2nd TOI, 1st SHTOI next closest 57 mins less, 9th PP time, 1st GP, 2nd OT TOI, 1st Shifts
Never seen a 3rd line center play so much and be valued highly in the playoffs
And those mins are against the best of the best in the NHL, not 3rd/4th liners, and not to mention the lowest PP time of any of the top 9 forwards.
There is underrated value beyond G/A, especially when a player doesn't have the luxury of padding points on the PP

Stevenson had 1 21 goal season in 8 seasons with regular PP time, Cirelli gets scraps of PP time....not even a comparison and 39 pts in 95 Playoff games...Cirelli has 42P in 103 GP and is only 27

Player	GP	TOI	EV TOI	PP TOI	SH TOI	TOI/GP	EV TOI/GP	PP TOI/GP	SH TOI/GP	OT TOI	OT TOI/OT GP
Nikita Kucherov	71	1439:36	1187:55	250:27	1:14	20:17	16:44	3:32	0:01	80:50	5:03
Anthony Cirelli	71	1336:17	1089:06	69:31	177:40	18:49	15:20	0:59	2:30	80:31	5:02
Ondrej Palat	71	1289:00	1130:33	149:19	9:08	18:09	15:55	2:06	0:08	80:26	5:02
Alex Killorn	66	1249:40	968:27	160:33	120:40	18:56	14:40	2:26	1:50	80:41	5:23
Brayden Point	55	1076:29	886:34	188:02	1:53	19:34	16:07	3:25	0:02	76:20	5:27
Yanni Gourde	48	862:23	750:20	65:59	46:04	17:58	15:38	1:22	0:58	72:20	5:34
Blake Coleman	48	818:53	711:00	6:59	100:54	17:04	14:49	0:09	2:06	67:04	5:10
Steven Stamkos	47	802:47	616:15	180:09	6:23	17:05	13:07	3:50	0:08	16:29	2:21
Barclay Goodrow	43	763:53	652:12	4:36	107:05	17:46	15:10	0:06	2:29	59:12	4:56
Patrick Maroon	71	740:28	669:42	70:37	0:09	10:26	9:26	1:00	0:00	45:47	2:52
Tyler Johnson	48	625:34	556:55	68:21	0:18	13:02	11:36	1:25	0:00	53:44	4:08
Ross Colton	46	537:33	504:15	30:25	2:53	11:41	10:58	0:40	0:04	7:56	1:08
Nicholas Paul	23	421:00	324:47	28:30	67:43	18:18	14:07	1:14	2:57	6:47	2:16
Brandon Hagel	23	329:52	323:02	3:06	3:44	14:21	14:03	0:08	0:10	9:41	3:14

All this work just to forget Yanni Gourde wasn't on the team in 2022. In the first run, they were both essentially 2.5Cs, TOI tips to Cirelli in the b2b cup.

But anyways, Cirelli talk is in the air... I'll wait for the inevitable "you don't know how lucky you are to have him" condescension in 3... 2... 1...

No one has ever explained to me why there's a Leaf fan who mostly posts to defend Anthony Cirelli. It is kind of funny though.

1. Morning coffee.
2. Watch Steve Dangle videos.
3. Peruse HF Lightning to post about Anthony Cirelli.

 

[JoVel]

Some people are f***ing losing it. Its insane. Its worse this year than any year before. I guess I get it because of the Stammer stuff. But holy hell.

I skim over 99% of posts here during the off season and only read through if something catches my eye. Are you saying I'm not missing much?

 

[DistantThunderRep]

I skim over 99% of posts here during the off season and only read through if something catches my eye. Are you saying I'm not missing much?

This year, I would say 50% of the posts are like going full Byrddog.

Cirelli and JB are both gonna need to buy another lock on their doors

They are going to be sitting in front of their doors with AR's just waiting for the mob of pitchforks and torches.

 

[Soul Assumption]

lazy Kuch

https://x.com/i/web/status/1816835870038614295

 

[Rschmitz]

IMO all three extensions of Serg, Cernak and Cirelli were like half a million AAV each (give or take) too much for my liking. But what do I know and what’s done is done.

Cirelli is clearly part of the plan otherwise they would’ve moved him when his NTC wasn’t active yet.

Actually.....it still isn't. His NTC kicks in next summer!

Just check out capfrie...oh wait

 

[DistantThunderRep]

Actually.....it still isn't. His NTC kicks in next summer!

Just check out capfrie...oh wait

https://capwages.com/teams/tampa_bay_lightning

 

[Point21]

JBB needs to add an actual middle 6 winger that shoots righty. go call up Briere and get Tyson Foerster for a couple of picks

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I've decided that my main reasons to be excited about this season are: Kucherov (duh), Guentzel (should score a ton, plus new fun player), and Hagel (works his ass off, beast).

If anyone else surprises, if a kid makes the team, I'll be pleased as well. Hopes aren't too high.

 

[These Are The Days]

You missed the point completely. But its understandable because you are just spiraling into some awkward rage induced summer break. Its ok...The point was 144 points being only a +8, maybe the +/- issue was a team problem or maybe....not a good indication of impact? But no...it couldn't be that.


Some people are f***ing losing it. Its insane. Its worse this year than any year before. I guess I get it because of the Stammer stuff. But holy hell.

This is nowhere close to missing the playoffs by a point with a glorifed AHL team and 80% of the forum howling for Coop to get fired. Bonus points to the whining, bitching and moaning about getting dominated by Pittsburgh and yet we were an OT goal the other way from winning the damn thing in 5. And this was without Stamkos and the playing corpse of Anton Stralman. Coop was running a f***ing master class with a lineup that saw the likes of Callahan go 41 games between goals and Filppula and Killorn loafing every shift. Thankfully Killer got his shit together after that and put in years of good work

Oh yeah. And on the following opening night, HF Lightning howled for Cooper's head after the 1st goddamn period to start the season. We won that night

 

[bigdaddio]

Man this offseason has gone on way too long

 

[Peacefool]

I was cleaning my closet today, and took from there my Lightning Jersey, I held it in hands, and I felt...Maaaaan I miss so much putting it on me and cheer my favourite team((

 

[Crunchrulz]

This lineup definitely is the softest and most questionable players in the top 9 we have had in a long time. Sheary atkinson, and chaffee are all waiver type players. Cirelli needs to take a big step forward on offensive to get near 60 points and 30 30 status to be an elite top 6 defensive minded center who can produce like Bergeron amd Krejci were for Boston. We lack at least one actual top 6 winger and at least better bottom 6 forward. Defense maybe improved but not counting on an older injury prone McDonough to fix it. Raddysh,perbix,Moser, and lilleberg need to take a step forward. We can't afford to have Hedman or McDonough to take a step back. We need vasi to improve and can't count on him to steal games anymore.
We really need on or two of Geekie, Dukes, gonclaves, and Finley to take a huge step forward and push out these fringe nhl vets. I still don't get why we didn't sign sprong for around a million. He is better than Sheary and Atkinson . He could actually help the pp.

Finley needs to be in Syracuse to prove which player the organization has; the one from two years ago who showed so much promise or last year's version who was injury prone and but a shell of the previous year's player.

 

[RLP55]

Been away from the forum for a few days.
Holy crap! This is a better page turner than Atlas Shrugged. It’s the Hatfields vs the McCoys.

This place had a lull after the Moser signing. The stove’s been lit. Keep cooking boys.

 

[StammerHammer]

If anyone else surprises, if a kid makes the team, I'll be pleased as well. Hopes aren't too high.

I was pretty pumped when Raddysh and Katchouk made the team in 21. Too bad they didn't pan out.

 

[Peacefool]

I was pretty pumped when Raddysh and Katchouk made the team in 21. Too bad they didn't pan out.

but them making the team brang us Hagel, so they did pan iut for us in some weird way

 

[TampaIceman]

Cirelli is fine as a 2nd line center. The key is for the 3rd line to produce so you don’t have to count on getting all your scoring from the top 6 like we did most of last season.

 

[These Are The Days]

Cirelli is fine as a 2nd line center

The polygraph determined that was a lie my dude

 

[DFC]

I've decided that my main reasons to be excited about this season are: Kucherov (duh), Guentzel (should score a ton, plus new fun player), and Hagel (works his ass off, beast).

If anyone else surprises, if a kid makes the team, I'll be pleased as well. Hopes aren't too high.

I think it's Guentzel 5v5 and a defense that isn't very exciting but hopefully gets the job done.

If Vasy returns to full form there's actual reason to believe.