Anthony Cirelli will be looking to have a strong season for the Lightning.
The 2026-27 season is almost here for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Due to this, we here at The Hockey News Lightning are starting a player preview series that will look at each Bolts player.
In this latest edition of the series, let's take a look at forward Anthony Cirelli.
Anthony Cirelli's Importance To The Lightning Can't Be Overlooked
Cirelli may not put up the same kind of offensive totals as players like Nikita Kucherov and Brandon Hagel, but he will still an incredibly important part of Tampa Bay's roster this season. The 29-year-old center's excellent two-way play is something that the Lightning will be relying heavily on as they look to go on a real playoff run this year.
Cirelli is coming off another strong season, as he posted 23 goals, 29 assists, 52 points, and a plus-38 rating in 71 games. This is after he posted 27 goals, 59 points, and a plus-30 rating. If he can have another offensive season like this while continuing to play smart defensively, it would be significant for the Bolts.
It will now be fascinating to see what kind of season Cirelli can put together for Tampa Bay in 2026-27. At 29 years old, he is right in his prime.
