Confirmed with Link: Lightning re-sign Erik Cernak | 3 years, $2.95M AAV

[Felonious Python]

Click to read more...

 

[BowDownToVasilevskiy]

Welcome back Cernak

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

Pretty high AAV compared to what most of us were expecting. Fitting Cirelli in will be tough.

Looks like we also signed Ruutta

 

[Todd1a]

Outstanding!

 

[LightningStrikes]

Welcome back Drago!

 

[Letsgobolts21]

I was thinking 2 years at 2.5 AAV so to get that 3rd year for 2.95 AAV should be good. And of course RHD is the one position in short supply for us.

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

It’s all coming together

 

[Master P]

Sabres fans in shambles.

Good signing

 

[DaBolts]

 

[The Gongshow]

OUR TOP 4 DEFENSE IS LOCKED UP FOR A FEW YEARS NOW!!!+

 

[These Are The Days]

 

[The Gongshow]

Forget all about the cap!

 

[DFC]

It's a great deal. #4 RHD who does a lot of heavy lifting for us with McD. IMO, based purely on position, he's more of a make-or-break player to us than Cirelli.

 

[JTBF81]

Good signing, maybe 400-500k more than expected but still in the ballpark. With him and Rutta signed the defense is set now.

 

[DFC]

Good signing, maybe 400-500k more than expected but still in the ballpark. With him and Rutta signed the defense is set now.

I think our MOST optimistic guesses were around 2.5. But really, this would be a discount on any other team in the league. He carries a lot of weight for us.

 

[Hockey4Life91]

It's a great deal. #4 RHD who does a lot of heavy lifting for us with McD. IMO, based purely on position, he's more of a make-or-break player to us than Cirelli.

Completely agree. Cirelli is the objectively better player. But Cernak is far more valuable to us. It would be difficult to replace him. While Cirelli would be easier to plug the hole given our assets.

 

[The Gongshow]

Completely agree. Cirelli is the objectively better player. But Cernak is far more valuable to us. It would be difficult to replace him. While Cirelli would be easier to plug the hole given our assets.

Specially with our lack of RD prospects

 

[Sky04]

I think our MOST optimistic guesses were around 2.5. But really, this would be a discount on any other team in the league. He carries a lot of weight for us.

This, 2.5 was a hopeful bargain but under 3m for the role he plays is an absolute steal.

 

[FinnLightning26]

Will be interesting to see what plans JBB has for getting under the cap. You have to think there's a plan in place with these two signings and Cirelli yet to be signed.

 

[The Gongshow]

While Cirelli is the better player I'd argue Cernak was the more important signing.

Plays shutdown pair against top lines (Cirelli did this as well). Our lack of RD prospects. Cernak has looked good with Hedman, McD, and Serg (so he can be placed anywhere in our lineup). Brings grit and toughness to our team, fights and will protect our guys.

Very solid, stay at home defensemen, which we need.