Erik Cernak 
Age 24 May 28, 1997
Kosice SVK
Defense shoots right
6'3" 191 cm
230 lbs 104 kg
ELC Signing Age 18
Waivers Signing Age 18
UFA Year 2024
Agent Craig Oster 
Transaction History
| Jun 21, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (undisclosed) will not be in Monday's Game 5 lineup against the Islanders, Dan Rosen of (NHL).com reports. | |
| Jun 1, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (undisclosed) recorded an assist, four blocked shots and three hits in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Hurricanes in Game 2. | |
| Jun 1, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (undisclosed) will play Game 2 in Carolina on Tuesday, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports. | |
| Jun 1, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (undisclosed) is considered questionable for Tuesday's Game 2 versus Carolina, Bryan Burns of the Lightning's official site reports. | |
| May 26, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak posted two assists and a plus-3 rating in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Panthers in Game 6. | |
| May 5, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak stuffed the stat sheet with a goal, two assists, four shots, three blocks and a plus-3 rating in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Stars. | |
| Apr 27, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak scored a goal, dished an assist, logged four hits and added a fighting major in Tuesday's 7-4 win over the Blackhawks. | |
| Apr 17, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak scored a goal on five shots and dished out four hits in Saturday's 5-3 loss to Florida. | |
| Apr 13, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak recorded an assist, two shots on goal and two PIM in Tuesday's 7-2 loss to the Predators. | |
| Apr 10, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak scored a goal on two shots and had one hit Saturday in a 3-0 win over the Predators. | |
| Apr 8, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (lower body) will play in Thursday's game versus the Blue Jackets, Bryan Burns of the Lightning's official site reports. | |
| Mar 31, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Coach Jon Cooper was hoping Cernak (lower body) would be further along in his recovery, but the 23-year-old blueliner is still "steps back," Bryan Burns of the Lightning's official site reports. | |
| Mar 30, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | According to coach Jon Cooper, Cernak (lower body) is still at least a game or two away from returning, Bryan Burns of the Lightning's official site reports. | |
| Mar 27, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (lower body) won't play Saturday against Carolina, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports. | |
| Mar 25, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (lower body) won't play in Thursday's game versus the Stars, Bryan Burns of the Lightning's official site reports. | |
| Mar 25, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Thursday night's matchup with Dallas, Bryan Burns of the Lightning's official site reports. | |
| Mar 9, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak scored a goal on three shots, dished an assist and added a fighting major in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Red Wings. | |
| Mar 9, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (upper body) is expected to play Tuesday against Detroit, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports. | |
| Mar 8, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Head coach Jon Cooper is "hopeful" that Cernak (upper body) will be ready for Tuesday's game versus the Red Wings, Bryan Burns of the Lightning's official site reports. | |
| Mar 7, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (upper body) won't return to Sunday's game against the Blackhawks after taking a hit to the head from Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy in the second period, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports. | |
| Mar 5, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (upper body) will return to the lineup for Friday's tilt with the Blackhawks, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports. | |
| Mar 4, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (upper body) won't play in Thursday's game versus the Blackhawks, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports. | |
| Feb 27, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (lower body) is expected to play Saturday against Dallas, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports. | |
| Feb 25, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (lower body) won't return to Thursday's game versus the Hurricanes, Caley Chelios of the Lightning's official site reports. | |
| Feb 8, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak registered an assist, three shots on goal, three blocked shots and a plus-3 rating in Monday's 4-1 win over the Predators. | |
| Feb 1, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak was plus-1 with two shots and two blocks while adding four PIM in Monday's 5-2 win over Nashville. | |
| Feb 1, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (upper body) took part in warmups and is expected to suit up against the Predators on Monday, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports. | |
| Feb 1, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (upper body) skated with the team during Monday's morning practice, Bryan Burns of the Lightning's official site reports. | |
| Jan 30, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (upper body) won't play Saturday against the Predators, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports. | |
| Jan 28, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (upper body) isn't expected to play Thursday against the Hurricanes, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports. | |
| Jan 25, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak is considered day-to-day after sustaining an upper-body injury against Columbus on Saturday. | |
| Jan 23, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (undisclosed) will not return to Saturday's game against the Blue Jackets, Bryan Burns of the Lightning's official site reports. | |
| Jan 8, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak (undisclosed) is on the ice for Friday's practice, Bryan Burns of the Lightning's official site reports. | |
| Jan 4, 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak was hung up on visa issues and won't be able to join the team until Thursday, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports. | |
| Dec 22, 2020 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Erik Cernak | Cernak signed a three-year, $8.85 million contract with the Lightning on Tuesday. | |
| Nov 30, 2019 | Tampa Bay Lightning | announced D Erik Cernak has served his suspension. | |
| Nov 26, 2019 | Suspended | Tampa Bay Lightning | (NHL) suspended D Erik Cernak two games for elbowing an unsuspecting opponent. |
| Nov 13, 2018 | Recalled | Tampa Bay Lightning | recalled D Erik Cernak from Syracuse (AHL). |
| Sep 30, 2018 | Assigned | Tampa Bay Lightning | assigned D Erik Cernak to Syracuse (AHL). |
| May 12, 2018 | Recalled | Tampa Bay Lightning | recalled D Erik Cernak from Syracuse (AHL). |
| Sep 25, 2017 | Assigned | Tampa Bay Lightning | assigned D Erik Cernak to Syracuse (AHL). |
| Feb 26, 2017 | Trade | Los Angeles Kings | acquired G Ben Bishop and a 2017 fifth-round draft pick from the Tampa Bay Lightning for G Peter Budaj, D Erik Cernak, a 2017 seventh-round draft pick and a 2017 conditional draft pick. |
| Jul 14, 2015 | Los Angeles Kings | signed D Erik Cernak to a three year, entry-level contract. |
2020-2021 Regular Season Stats
|
Erik Cernak |
GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM | TOI | GF% | DFF% | Rel DFF% | CF% | Rel CF% | G60 | P60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Lightning
|
46 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 8 | 38 | 720 | 50.80 | 54.70 | 3.60 | 54.30 | 3.10 | 0.33 | 1.17 |
| Erik Cernak Stats by Elite Prospects | Erik Cernak Advanced Stats by  |
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Career Stats
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | TP | PIM | TOI | GF% | DFF% | Rel DFF% | CF% | Rel CF% | G60 | P60 | Playoffs | GP | G | A | TP | PIM | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-2012 | HC Kosice U18 | Slovakia U18 | 37 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 61 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2012-2013 | Slovakia U17 (all) | International-Jr | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2012-2013 | HC Slovan Bratislava U20 | Slovakia U20 | 30 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 18 | Playoffs | 12 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 2012-2013 | Slovakia U17 | WHC-17 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2012-2013 | Team Slovakia U20 | Slovakia2 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2012-2013 | Slovakia U18 (all) | International-Jr | 8 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2012-2013 | Slovakia U18 | WJC-18 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2012-2013 | HC Slovan Bratislava U18 | Slovakia U18 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | Playoffs | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 2013-2014 | HC Kosice U20 | Slovakia U20 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2013-2014 | HC Kosice | Slovakia | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Playoffs | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 2013-2014 | Team Slovakia U20 | Slovakia | 20 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2013-2014 | Slovakia U20 (all) | International-Jr | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2013-2014 | Slovakia U20 | WJC-20 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2013-2014 | Slovakia U18 | WJC-18 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| Draft Yr | 2014-2015 | HC Kosice | Slovakia | 43 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 16 | Playoffs | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||
| Draft Yr | 2014-2015 | HC Kosice | Champions HL | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | Playoffs | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||
| Draft Yr | 2014-2015 | Slovakia U20 (all) | International-Jr | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 8 | |||||||||||||||
| Draft Yr | 2014-2015 | Slovakia U20 | WJC-20 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||||||||||||||
| Draft Yr | 2014-2015 | Slovakia (all) | International | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | |||||||||||||||
| 2015-2016 | Erie Otters | OHL | 41 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 35 | Playoffs | 13 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 2015-2016 | Slovakia U20 | WJC-20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2016-2017 | Erie Otters | OHL | 50 | 3 | 18 | 21 | 53 | Playoffs | 22 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 2016-2017 | Slovakia U20 | WJC-20 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2016-2017 | Erie Otters | M-Cup | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Playoffs | 22 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 2017-2018 | Syracuse Crunch | AHL | 71 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 70 | Playoffs | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 2017-2018 | Slovakia (all) | International | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2018-2019 | Syracuse Crunch | AHL | 9 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2018-2019 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 58 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 58 | 926 | 60.23 | 55.40 | 2.45 | 51.22 | -0.65 | 0.26 | 0.97 | Playoffs | 4 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2018-2019 | Slovakia | WC | 7 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2018-2019 | Slovakia (all) | International | 9 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2019-2020 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 67 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 59 | 997 | 54.40 | 49.90 | -4.40 | 51.40 | -1.70 | 0.24 | 0.72 | Playoffs | 25 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2020-2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 46 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 38 | 720 | 50.80 | 54.70 | 3.60 | 54.30 | 3.10 | 0.33 | 1.17 | Playoffs | 15 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | ||
| Erik Cernak Stats by Elite Prospects | Erik Cernak Advanced Stats by |
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Active Contract
Standard Contract | 3 Years $8,850,000 3.62% of cap space
| 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cap Hit | $2,950,000 | $2,950,000 | $2,950,000 | RFA |
| AAV | $2,950,000 | $2,950,000 | $2,950,000 | |
| Performance Bonuses | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Base Salary | $775,000 | $1,950,000 | $4,425,000 | |
| Signing Bonuses | $700,000 | $1,000,000 | $0 | |
| Total Salary | $1,475,000 | $2,950,000 | $4,425,000 | |
| Minors Salary | $1,475,000 | $2,950,000 | $4,425,000 | |
| Clauses | ||||
| UFA Year | ||||
| Buy It Out | Buy It Out | |||
Contract History
Entry Level Contract | 3 Years $2,092,500 1.03% of cap space