Cernak is part of a four-man timeshare for three spots on the Lightning blue line.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak, Dan Girardi, Braydon Coburn and Mikhail Sergachev each take turns in the media box and they all do it without complaint. The Bolts have seven guy who can play in their top-six at any given time and Cernak has impressed in that group at just 21. He only has seven assists in 28 games, but logs 17-19 minutes of ice time when he is in there. Cernak may have a fantasy future in the coming years.

Cernak picked up an assist Monday night against the Ducks.

EDGE Analysis

The 21-year-old defender continues to impress. Cernak has seven assists in 21 games and he averages 17:51 of ice time when he dresses. The Bolts are deep, so Cernak is part of the revolving door of three defenders that slot onto the bottom pairing. But his development is proceeding well. There's no fantasy value here, just decent on-ice play.

Cernak was called up from AHL Syracuse on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

A brawny prospect listed at 6-foot-3 and 221 pounds, Cernak was promoted as an insurance option in case Anton Stralman (upper body) sits out Tuesday. Cernak was the points leader among defensemen for the Crunch prior to his call-up, with two goals and five goals comprising his total through nine contests.

Cernak finished his first pro season with five goals, 18 points and 70 PIM in 71 games with the AHL Syracuse Crunch.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak is a crease clearer who skates well and his performance in Syracuse earned him a coveted Black Aces spot on the Bolts' playoff squad this postseason. Cernak is likely the closest of the Crunch to the NHL, but he remains about fifth on the team's depth chart at right D. And that means his debut may be a long way off.

Cernak finished with 21 points (three goals) for the Erie Otters in 2016-17 and has impressed Stacy Roest, Lightning director of player development, reports the Tampa Times.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak has the potential to become a top-four defender in the NHL. "He's big strong, skates well," Roest said. "He plays simple, moves the puck. He's been a big part of their team so far. He doesn't get much power play time, but he's the first over the board on PK, and usually plays against the other team's top lines. He's a big boy, thick, strong, plays pretty physical. A good package."

Cernak chipped in two assists to help lead OHL Erie to a 6-4 win over Saginaw on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak was limited to just 41 games in his first OHL season due to various injuries. He put up just 15 points in those 41 contests, although part of that is due to the fact he plays for one of the deepest squads in all of junior hockey. Cernak will making his living as a big, strong, stay-at-home defender at the NHL level, but he has better hands than most give him credit for. The 2015 second-round pick has the tools to become one of the better defenders in the OHL next season.