LA Kings: Three players to target after Lightning re-signed Sergachev

Anthony Cirelli

Players like Anthony Cirelli, who have established themselves as prominent scorers at only 23 years of age, are hard to find.  Drafted in the third round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Cirelli broke into the regular lineup during the 2018-2019 campaign, tallying 19 goals with 20 assists in a full season of work. He scored five short-handed goals and shot the puck at a 15+ percent clip.

In the shortened season, Cirelli tallied 44 points (16 G, 28 A) while averaging nearly four additional minutes per game than the previous year. During the Lightning’s Stanley Cup run, the Etobicoke, Ontario native tallied three goals with six assists while averaging just over 20 minutes a night. Of course, he showed up in a pivotal moment, sending Tampa to the Stanley Cup Finals with his overtime goal in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

SB Nation’s Raw Charge sees Cirelli getting a one or two-year deal at $2.5M AAV. Per the offer sheet compensation rules, the LA Kings would have to give up a second-round pick in 2021. The Lightning are already without a second-round pick next year, so there could be some incentive to let Cirelli walk.

He’s primarily lined up at center on the first or second line, but he was sprinkled in along the left wing as well. Cirelli could be an excellent option on the Kings’ second line with Gabe Vilardi and Martin Frk. Plus, a bridge deal would provide a little extra time for some of the prospects impacted by the restrictions of what figures to be a shortened 2021 campaign.