Erik Cernak — Stats & Advanced Analytics
Erik Cernak is an NHL defenseman for the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the 2025-26 season Erik Cernak has 3 goals, 8 assists and 11 points in 61 games, worth -4.2 Goals Above Replacement.
Player Overview
Erik Cernak is a veteran defenseman for the Tampa Bay Lightning, now in his eighth NHL season and having played 502 career games. This season, he has recorded 3 goals and 8 assists for 11 points in 61 appearances.
Despite a current GAR of -3.4, Cernak remains a significant contributor in even-strength defense, where he has generated +2.7 GAR. This defensive acumen was a key factor in his peak GAR of 6.2 last season, highlighting his role as a shutdown blueliner.
Player Profile
| Position | Defenseman |
|---|---|
| Team | Tampa Bay Lightning |
| Shoots / Catches | R |
| Height | 6'4" |
| Weight | 230 lb |
| Draft | 2015 — Round 2, Pick 43 — LAK |
2025-26 Season Stats
| GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM | Shots | S% | TOI/GP | CF% | xG | Game Score | GAR | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | 3 | 8 | 11 | +3 | 74 | 53 | 5.7% | 17:37 | 42.9% | 2.5 | 0.2 | -4.2 | -0.75 |
GAR Component Breakdown
| Even-Strength Offense | Even-Strength Defense | Power-Play Offense | Shorthanded Defense |
|---|---|---|---|
| -1.1 | +2.2 | -0.1 | -0.4 |
League percentile rank: points 22th, GAR 10th, WAR 10th (100th = league leader).
Career by Season (Regular Season)
| Season | GP | G | A | P | GAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 61 | 3 | 8 | 11 | -4.2 |
| 2024-25 | 76 | 3 | 18 | 21 | -1.0 |
| 2023-24 | 69 | 2 | 11 | 13 | -4.4 |
| 2022-23 | 70 | 2 | 14 | 16 | -1.0 |
| 2021-22 | 55 | 1 | 12 | 13 | -0.6 |
| 2020-21 | 46 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 1.9 |
| 2019-20 | 67 | 5 | 7 | 12 | -1.0 |
| 2018-19 | 58 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 2.9 |
Analysis
In the 2025-26 season Erik Cernak has been worth -4.2 Goals Above Replacement, which ranks in the 10th percentile leaguewide.
His value is driven primarily by even-strength defense (+2.2 GAR), while his even-strength offense grades below replacement (-1.1).
Across 8 tracked seasons his GAR peaked at 2.9 in 2018-19.
All figures are model outputs from Hockey Alchemy. Learn how the value metrics are built on the methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Erik Cernak's GAR this season?
Erik Cernak has been worth -4.2 Goals Above Replacement (GAR) in the 2025-26 season, in the 10th percentile of NHL players.
How many points does Erik Cernak have this season?
Erik Cernak has 3 goals and 8 assists for 11 points in 61 games this season.
Is Erik Cernak a good defenseman?
Erik Cernak ranks in the 10th percentile among NHL skaters by GAR (-4.2) in the 2025-26 season.