Erik Cernak - RD Tampa Bay Lightning

[Dennis]

I wasn't very aware of him before this year's training camp but I've been looking into him more since his call-up this past week. Never expected to do much offensively but in the AHL this year he has 2g and 5 a in 9 games despite having more of a shut-down style than anything. I'm more interested in his multi-cat potential where through 3 games with the Bolts he's averaging 5 hits with about 16 minutes of ice time.

Any thoughts about him? With Stralman, Girardi, and Coburn all potentially (likely?) gone after this year can Cernak become the D-man I hoped Jake Dotchin would be? The physical right-handed defenseman with a contract so cheap the Lightning can't not plug him into the line-up?

[VincentVega]

I think he's very likely going to have a spot next year. I don't know what to make of his production in the AHL this year as he really doesn't look very offensively minded out there. Small sample size so it could be luck. I would target him for hits and blocks and some PIM and especially in salary cap leagues where cheap dmen are hard to come by.

[Pengwin7]

With Stralman, Girardi, and Coburn all potentially (likely?) gone after this year can Cernak become the D-man I hoped Jake Dotchin would be? The physical right-handed defenseman with a contract so cheap the Lightning can't not plug him into the line-up?

You nailed it here.
Some REP to you. Yes, exactly, his low cap makes him a lock for the Bolts 19-20 roster.

[ericdaoust]

I wasn't very aware of him before this year's training camp but I've been looking into him more since his call-up this past week. Never expected to do much offensively but in the AHL this year he has 2g and 5 a in 9 games despite having more of a shut-down style than anything. I'm more interested in his multi-cat potential where through 3 games with the Bolts he's averaging 5 hits with about 16 minutes of ice time.

Any thoughts about him? With Stralman, Girardi, and Coburn all potentially (likely?) gone after this year can Cernak become the D-man I hoped Jake Dotchin would be? The physical right-handed defenseman with a contract so cheap the Lightning can't not plug him into the line-up?

On this point, it appears Dotchin himself will be getting a chance to become the dman you hoped Dotchin would be.

Cernak is pretty good too, especially in multi-cat.

[VincentVega]

He's been paired with McDanaugh and doing quite well so far. Lots of hits, some PIM, even 3 assists. I wouldn't be surprised if he sticks this year even after Stralman returns.