The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced the signing of restricted free agent defenseman Erik Cernak. In addition, the team has come to terms with unrestricted free agent defenseman Jan Rutta. Cernak received a three year contract with a $2.95 million cap hit. Rutta’s contract is a two-year deal for $1.3 million.
Cernak was originally a second round draft pick by the Los Angeles Kings in 2015 out of Slovakia. Cernak moved to North America following his draft year to play two seasons for the Erie Otters in the OHL. The Lightning acquired Cernak in a trade with the Kings at the 2016-17 NHL Trade Deadline that involved goaltender Ben Bishop.