Erik Cernak - NHL News & Rumors

Set to play Thursday Cernak (undisclosed) is expected to be in the lineup since the Lightning will dress seven defensemen for their game versus the Jets on Thursday, Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Net...

Impact Cernak left the Lightning's last game after blocking a shot, but it appears a week-long break in the team's schedule has worked in his favor to avoid missing additional time. The 27-year-old could see fewer minutes than usual given the Lightning playing seven blueliners, but he should still see significant defensive usage.

NOVEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves game after blocked shot Cernak did not return to Thursday's game versus the Flyers after blocking a shot in the second period, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact There was no update on Cernak's status after the game. The 27-year-old's heavily defensive playing style often leads to him needing attention at times during games. He'll have the benefit of an extended break in the schedule for the Lightning -- their next game is next Thursday versus the Jets.

NOVEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Snags assist Friday Cernak recorded an assist and three shots on goal in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Wild.

Impact Cernak was able to avoid missing time after exiting Wednesday's game in Colorado with an upper-body injury. The 27-year-old blueliner plays a hard game, which often makes him a magnet for injuries. That doesn't tend to be a problem for fantasy managers, as Cernak rarely scores enough to warrant consideration in most formats. He has four assists, nine shots on net, 16 hits, 15 blocked shots, 10 PIM and a plus-2 rating through 11 outings.

NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Playing against Wild Cernak (upper body) will be in the lineup versus Minnesota on Friday, Jessi Pierce of NHL.com reports.

Impact Cernak was hurt in the second period against Colorado on Wednesday but appears to be no worse for the wear. Through 10 games this season, the 27-year-old blueliner has notched three assists, 16 hits and 15 blocks while averaging 19:17 of ice time. Cernak is unlikely to offer much in the way of offensive upside but could still offer decent mid-range fantasy value in banger leagues.

NOVEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers injury Wednesday Cernak (upper body) was injured in the second period of Wednesday's game versus the Avalanche, Ryan Boulding of NHL.com reports.

Impact Cernak was hit high by Matthew Steinburg and wasn't able to return to the game. Head coach Jon Cooper didn't have an update on Cernak's status after the contest. The Lightning are in the middle of a road trip with the next game coming Friday in Minnesota. Nick Perbix would draw into the lineup if Cernak can't play.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs assist in loss Cernak logged a shorthanded assist, two hits and two PIM in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Wild.

Impact Cernak isn't one to put up a lot of offense, though he's done alright with three assists through seven games this season. The defenseman helped out on Brandon Hagel's game-tying goal in the second period. Cernak has added four shots on net, six PIM, 12 hits, 11 blocked shots and an even plus-minus rating while playing on the second pairing.

OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Helps out on empty-netter Cernak recorded an assist, two shots on goal, two hits and two blocked shots in Friday's 4-1 win over the Hurricanes.

Impact Cernak had a secondary assist on Nikita Kucherov's first empty-netter. Offense has never been a large component of Cernak's play -- he's a physical shutdown defenseman who can handle top-four minutes. He's also reached the 70-game mark just once in his first six campaigns, so any fantasy managers counting on him for hits and blocked shots should have a backup plan in place. Last season, he produced two goals, 11 helpers, 198 hits, 109 blocks and 63 PIM over 69 regular-season appearances.

OCTOBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

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AUGUST 27 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Set to return Monday Cernak (coach's decision) is expected back in the lineup against the Red Wings on Monday, Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports Florida reports.

Impact Cernak was held out of Saturday's matchup with the Isles after missing a team meeting but it seems his punishment won't carry beyond that one game. Considering the defenseman has just two shots in his last 10 contests, fantasy players probably shouldn't expect him to break out of his 17-game goal drought any time soon.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing Saturday Cernak (coach's decision) won't play Saturday against the Islanders after missing a team meeting, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.

Impact Cernak will be replaced in the lineup by Haydn Fleury, who missed the past six games due to a lower-body injury. The 26-year-old Cernak has 11 points, 61 PIM, 94 blocked shots and 158 hits in 60 appearances this season.

MARCH 30 • ROTOWIRE

Sets up empty-netter Cernak notched an assist in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Golden Knights.

Impact Cernak has three helpers over his last seven contests, a rare run of productivity for the defense-first blueliner. The 26-year-old is up to 11 points, 144 hits, 87 blocked shots, 61 PIM and 43 shots on net through 56 outings this season. While he often sees top-four minutes, his lack of offense severely limits his fantasy value.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

Set to play Thursday Cernak (lower body) is slated to play against the Rangers on Thursday, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.

Impact Cernak appears to have avoided a serious injury after suffering a lower-body injury against the Flyers on Saturday. The 26-year-old defenseman has just two points in his last 10 contests while garnering just six shots. Outside of hits and blocks, Cernak shouldn't be expected to offer much in the way of fantasy value.

MARCH 13 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers lower-body injury Cernak sustained a lower-body injury in Saturday's game versus the Flyers, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.

Impact Per Krenn, head coach Jon Cooper didn't not provide a specific update as to how much concern there is for Cernak's status going forward. The Lightning are off until Thursday's game versus the Rangers, which may give the defenseman time to recover if it's a fairly minor injury. If he has to miss time, Calvin de Haan will likely take Cernak's spot in the lineup.

MARCH 10 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Saturday Cernak (illness) is warming up ahead of Saturday's game versus the Islanders, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact After missing Thursday's matchup with an illness, Cernak appears ready to go Saturday. The 26-year-old blueliner has eight points (one goal, seven assists) with 128 hits and 74 blocked shots through 46 games this season.

FEBRUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Out due to illness Thursday Cernak (illness) won't play Thursday versus the Capitals, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.

Impact Cernak has been banged up a few times this season, so this is a relatively favorable reason for an absence. He should be considered day-to-day ahead of Saturday's game versus the Islanders. Calvin de Haan will play in place of Cernak on Thursday.

FEBRUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Pots first goal of season Cernak scored his first goal of the season in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout win over the Bruins.

Impact The 26-year-old blueliner opened the scoring early in the first period, firing a shot from the top of the faceoff circle that trickled through Linus Ullmark's five-hole. Cernak has two points in four games since returning from an upper-body injury, but his main fantasy value comes from his physical play -- he dished a game-high eight hits Tuesday, and on the season Cernak has 110 hits and 69 blocked shots in 43 games.

FEBRUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Set to play Wednesday Cernak (upper body) is good to play Wednesday versus the Rangers, according to Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site.

Impact Cernak, who last played Jan. 11, has five assists, 23 PIM, 90 hits and 63 blocks in 39 outings in 2023-24. He's penciled in to play on the second line alongside Mikhail Sergachev, who is returning from a lower-body injury. With the Lightning set to get two defensemen back, Calvin de Haan and Haydn Fleury are slated to be healthy scratches Wednesday.

FEBRUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Out next two games Cernak (upper body) won't play Thursday against Arizona or Saturday versus New Jersey but he should be ready to return following the All-Star break, Erik Erlendsson of LightningIns...

Impact Cernak will set his sights on returning to action Feb. 7 against the Rangers. He's collected just five helpers through 39 contests this campaign, so fantasy managers shouldn't need to keep tabs on Cernak.

JANUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Tuesday Cernak (upper body) won't play Tuesday versus Philadelphia.

Impact Cernak, who remains day-to-day, will miss his fifth straight contest. He has supplied five assists, 31 shots on goal, 63 blocked shots and 90 hits across 39 outings this campaign. Max Crozier will play again versus the Flyers due to Cernak's absence.

JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Out Sunday Cernak (upper body) is not available for Sunday's game against Detroit.

Impact Cernak has now missed four straight games and it's unclear when the team expects him to return. His next chance to suit up will be Tuesday in Philadelphia.

JANUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Out Saturday Cernak (upper body) won't play Saturday against the Sabres.

Impact Cernak will miss a third game after suffering an injury last week against New Jersey. Emil Martinsen Lileberg and Max Crozier will round out Tampa's third pairing with Cernak unavailable. The 26-year-old blueliner has five assists, 90 hits and 63 blocked shots in 39 games this season. It remains to be seen if Cernak will be ready to go Sunday versus Detroit.

JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out Thursday Cernak (upper body) isn't expected to play Thursday versus Minnesota.

Impact Cernak has five assists, 90 hits and 63 blocks in 39 outings in 2023-24. This will be his second straight game out of the lineup. With Cernak absent, Max Crozier is projected to serve on the third pairing Thursday.

JANUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing Saturday Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports that Cernak (upper body) will not play Saturday versus Anaheim.

Impact Cernak was injured Thursday versus New Jersey. He has five assists, 90 hits and 63 blocked shots in 39 games this season. Philippe Myers will take his spot in the lineup as a third-pairing defenseman.

JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Deemed day-to-day Cernak (upper body) is considered day-to-day, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact At this point Cernak should probably be considered questionable at best for Saturday's game against Anaheim. EIther way, the 26-year-old defender has collected just five helpers through 39 contests this campaign, so fantasy managers shouldn't need to track his availability.

JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Sustains upper-body injury Cernak won't return to Thursday's game against New Jersey because of an upper-body injury.

Impact Cernak missed three contests from Jan. 2-6 because of an upper-body injury, but it's not clear if his current issue is related. He recorded one hit on 7:58 of ice time before departing Thursday's game. If Cernak can't play Saturday against Anaheim, then Philippe Myers will likely draw into the lineup.

JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

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