Would be a mistake at the cost of Killer and Cernak.

He's good, but he's not worth that contract.

Killorn for 4.5 is better for tampa than palat at 6.5, and I think they need Cernak

Obvious yes for Buffalo, think Cernak is the perfect fit tbh. But like others have said, probably smarter to move on from palat than Cernak (unless there's an RHD in the minors thats about to light the league on fire nobody knows about).

Tampa gets destroyed in both trades

Yes. I would even do the Florida first.

I think Tampa will just let Palat walk as a UFA. They're ok for next season. It's 2023-24 where Sergachev, Cernak and Cirelli are RFA's again.

Palat wont even get nowhere near that much on the open market, Julien BriseBois sure as heck isn't paying him that much. Palat gets about $4,500,000 x 4 years at the most on the open market.

Might even change it to Joker to get Cernak

I would give them johnson and jokiharju, with the Florida pick.

Pretty sure Tampa values Cernak over Palat
Forwards, especially wingers, are easier to replace than good right handed defensemen

To me Tampa should let Palat go and focus on keeping Paul

As usual I will be the fly in the ointment.
Remember the other Tampa RHD are Zach Bogosian, Cal Foote and Jan Rutta so of course Eric will get more ice time than any of them.
I will stick my neck on the chopping block, but IMO if Jokiharju and Cernak wore each other's uniforms, everyone would want to trade Eric and a second for Henri.
Let me add, during the regular season Eric played 3:18 minutes less than McDonagh, 3:19 less than Sergachev and 5:56 less than Hedman.
If he was as valuable as this discussion makes him out to be, he would not be playing 4 to 5 shifts per game less than McDonagh.
Ryan Johnson and the best second from 2023 would be my offer for Cernak, not the 41st OA from this year.

Very good post, I really want the other intangibles he would bring.

Oh I completely agree!
He scores and hits more than Fitzgerald and would be a great second pairing RHD.

I guess there have been other trades with him coming to Buffalo so I took the time to do some research, IMO @Benzino204 got his value correct.
A good "prospect" and a second.

Speaking of Fitzgerald, he has certainly found his scoring touch during the playoffs.
2 goals and 7 points in only 10 games.
If he could develop and translate his AHL stats (79 AHL regular season games, 9 goals and 34 points) to the NHL, maybe he could be our Cernak?

Not to take anything away from Fitz, I really liked what he brought, almost seemed like Dahlin changed some more when he knew Fitz and Cozens had his back. Just don't think he has the size for that in a full season. Cernak to me would be a perfect partner for Power, the kid would be able to go out and just play, he would automatically have a guard who can also play and contribute.

I feel sorry for Cernak if he ends up in Buffalo. Would be a career ruining move.