Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak showed no remorse when discussing a matchup with his former team, the Los Angeles Kings, on Thursday.

Cernak, a second-round pick by the Kings in 2015, was sent to Tampa Bay as a key part of a deal that brought goaltender Ben Bishop to Los Angeles in 2016-17.

"I was pretty happy when they traded me," Cernak told The Athletic's Joe Smith. "I came to development camp and everyone was friendly to me. It was much different than L.A."

Cernak has carved out a nice role for the first-place Lightning. Entering Thursday, the 21-year-old had seven points in 21 games in his rookie season and has most recently found himself in the team's top-four on defense, playing alongside veteran Ryan McDonagh.

The Kings, meanwhile, have 35 points - tied for the fewest in the NHL.