Top Lightning defenseman out long-term with ‘undisclosed’ injury


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Tom Banks
November 24, 2025  (3:50 PM)

Erik Cernak of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Photo credit: The Hockey News

Erik Cernak has been a key piece of the Lightning’s recent success, but now, the veteran blue liner is out week-to-week with an undisclosed injury.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are off to a fantastic start in 2025/26, going 12-7-2 through the team’s first 21 games of the season as they look to once again go deep in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

They’ve had this early season success despite some injury woes as well, with Victor Hedman and Brayden Point both missing time thus far, and now, another key piece of their lineup is set for an extended absence.

Erik Cernak out week-to-week for Tampa Bay

Now, reports have revealed that 28-year old veteran Erik Cernak will be out ‘week-to-week’ with what Head Coach Jon Cooper calls an undisclosed injury, as they hope to get their veteran back as quick as possible.

The veteran has spent every season of his career in Tampa Bay, being a key piece of both their recent Stanley Cup wins, and after being a career best +29 a season ago, it’s clear how important he is to this organization and the success they still hope to have with this core group.

Unfortunately, he’ll now be out for at least a few weeks, adding to their injury woes with both Hedman and Ryan McDonaugh both out, meaning that J.J. Moser is currently their best active defenseman.

Ultimately, this is a team that’s well coached and has great leadership, making them a team that’s always going to be very hard to beat, with the team hoping that Cernak can return quickly and give the blue line the boost that they desperately need early in the season.

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Top Lightning defenseman out long-term with ‘undisclosed’ injury

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