Cirelli is projected to be a valuable asset - the trade talks are heating up

The Montreal Canadiens have been undergoing a period of rebuilding for some time.

They pulled off one of the biggest deals of the summer – acquiring offensive defender Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders. We proposes a deal that would accelerate the Eastern Conference team’s exit from its rebuilding phase by acquiring Anthony Cirelli from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Canadiens Acquire:

Anthony Cirelli

Lightning Acquire:

Patrik Laine

A deal of this magnitude would undoubtedly be a blockbuster. Patrik Laine is an established NHLer who can produce goals and points. Cirelli is a top-six center whose two-way prowess is widely recognized throughout the league. Cirelli would immediately become a vital piece for the Canadiens moving forward.

While others have speculated that a player like Pavel Zacha of the Boston Bruins would be a helpful piece, Cirelli is a better option.

Montreal Canadiens Need To Move Salary Out

According to PuckPedia, the Canadiens are $4.519 million over the salary cap ceiling. Swapping Laine for Cirelli doesn’t cure what ails their salary cap situation, but it lightens the load.

Laine will make $8.7 million in the 2025-26 season. He is in the final year of his contract, and the Canadiens must start thinking about whether they should retain him in their ranks or not. By executing this proposed swap, they acquire a player who is signed for a long time at a lower cap hit than Laine.

Cirelli is in the third year of an eight-year contract paying him $6.25 million, which is $2.5 million less than Laine’s. This deal would get them closer to the ceiling, but another deal would need to happen to bring them even closer.

Another consideration could be to involve another team to retain salary on Laine’s contract. This would give the Lightning a more affordable contract to acquire, providing them with a greater incentive to make the deal.

Anthony Cirelli’s Surprising Offensive Game

Cirelli displayed another level to his offensive game in 2024-25. In 80 games played, he recorded career highs in goals (27), assists (32), points (59), shorthanded points (7), and time on ice (18:41).

Had Cirelli played for the Canadiens during this past season, he would have had the fourth-most points. The only Canadiens with more than 59 points last year were Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Lane Hutson.

Getting that kind of offensive boost to the top-six forward group is something that the Canadiens should be all over.

Cirelli’s Great Defensive Prowess

Cirelli would make the Canadiens better primarily because of his defensive abilities. His reputation as a great defensive player precedes him, as evidenced by his selection as a finalist for the Selke Trophy this past season.

The Selke Trophy is distributed to “the forward who excels in the defensive aspects of the game.” It is an award that is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA). Cirelli lost out to Florida Panthers‘ captain Aleksander Barkov. However, being a finalist for this trophy is a big enough feather in a player’s cap.

According to PuckIQ, Cirelli played 426.2 minutes against Elite competition. That was second on the Lightning to Brandon Hagel, who played 467 minutes against the Elites.

In those minutes, Cirelli earned a 55.7 Dangerous Fenwick For percentage (DFF%), the highest among his Lightning teammates.

According to the PuckIQ Glossary, Dangerous Fenwick is a “weighted shot metric using shot distance, location, and type of shot to give each shot a ‘danger’ value.” The metric is similar to Corsi and Fenwick, but with the added detail of considering the danger associated with those shot attempts.

A trade for Cirelli would be a home run swing by the Canadiens.

Robert Griffin III Sounds Off - Browns Must Rethink Quarterback Plan

As the Cleveland Browns grapple with their disappointing start to the season, former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III has weighed in on the team’s quarterback situation. Following a narrow loss in their season opener, Griffin suggested that the team need to consider a change at quarterback if they continue to struggle.

With veteran Joe Flacco at the helm, concerns about long-term prospects for the franchise have intensified. Flacco, while experienced, has shown signs of decline, and his performance in the opener raised questions about his ability to lead the team effectively.

With rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders waiting in the wings, Griffin believes it may be time for the Browns to evaluate their options. The upcoming games against formidable opponents could serve as a critical juncture for the organization.

Griffin emphasized that a poor start could lead to missed opportunities for development. If the Browns find themselves unable to secure wins, he argues that it would be prudent to give Gabriel or Sanders a chance to showcase their abilities. This shift could provide valuable experience for the young quarterbacks and help the team assess its future direction.

Cleveland faces a challenging schedule ahead, and the pressure to perform will only increase. Fans are already speculating about the potential for a quarterback change, and the team’s management will need to weigh the risks and rewards of such a decision. If the losses continue to mount, the call for a new starter will grow louder.

Robert Griffin III Says Cleveland Browns Should Play Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders Amid Grim Outlook

Cleveland may do well to start either Gabriel or Sanders in the coming weeks. This is detailed more in a tweet shared by Griffin on his official X account.

Griffin’s comments reflect a broader concern within the fanbase about Flacco’s effectiveness and the team’s overall trajectory. With the playoffs in mind, Cleveland cannot afford to waste valuable games without exploring all options at the quarterback position. The right decision now could shape the team’s future.

Griffin III’s call for Cleveland to consider a change at quarterback highlights the urgency of their situation. As the team navigates a tough schedule, the decision-makers will need to evaluate their roster and make strategic choices that could determine their success this season and beyond.

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