Quoting: Soninlawovwasgr8
Erik Cernak is the least likely available of TBs non Nmc/Ntc players
I mean, is he?
Tampa's got 8 guys for next year that don't have clauses: Cernak, Sergachev, Brian Elliott, Anthony Cirelli, Ross Colton, Cal Foote, Brandon Hagel, and, for one more year, Brayden Point.
Point is obviously more untouchable. I'd argue that JBB would rather move Cernak before Colton or Hagel, since those two dudes have such low AAVs and will still be RFAs when their current deals expire. Foote/Elliott are whatever. Cirelli & Sergachev probably hurt just as much as moving Cernak, but probably go first because of the higher cap hit.
I don't buy that Cernak is totally untouchable, though - he's a good player, but clearly their 4th best D (Hedman, McDonagh, and Sergachev are all better players.) If you could re-sign Jan Ruutta for ~$2M, he can slide into the top 4 and then Cernak becomes expendable, IMO. You're going to pay a ton for him, for sure, but he's not like this franchise icon that Tampa could never think of moving.