Michael Stuart: Playoff Player Grades: Erik Cernak

Whats interesting about a player like Cernak is how to quantify what he brings to the team and game when its all the things that stats don't show. He played great this postseason being dependable. How will correlate to his next deal?

Cernak brings much more to the table with his physicality. It is a different, but very much needed element of team play that he brings from most other Dmen on the roster.

This blog to be followed by a bunch of Bolts fans arguing why he shouldn't get more than a 2 year bridge deal at $1.5M/year.

He’d look good in s Sabre sweater.

I don't believe any team in this league needs more then one truly offensive D. Just one who can run the PP, and log big minutes. With a bunch of Cernak-esqe guys, doing their best to keep the puck out of the net, and a solid 3 lines of forwards, you can be very successful. The Jet's dressed just 9M worth of D on some nights, and 12M others. Now they still need a true #1D, but regardless, they got the job done most nights.

Not sure what will happen with your core of talented D, but it's safe to say you can't your top 3 LD making 22M AAV. Interesting to see what happens, but if you can ink Cernak to a deal under 2M AAV, you're laughing.

Cernak has a Stevens-like mentality and that's a good thing when it's kept under control. The problem is, he is prone to "see red" and turn into a murder-machine who goes head-hunting. If he can keep the latter instinct in check, then he's a positive for the team.