Predators Sign Erat to Seven-Year Contract

[Thrillhouse]

Nashville, Tenn. – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed restricted free agent forward Martin Erat to a seven-year, $31.5 million contract.

“Martin Erat is a perfect example of this organization’s philosophy,” Poile said. “He came to us as a seventh-round draft pick, and grew steadily into an elite player when given an opportunity to succeed. He has continued to take on more responsibility and is an integral part of our team moving forward. We look forward to his leadership and production for the next seven years.”

Erat, 26 (8/29/81), established career highs in goals (23), game-winning goals (6) and tied a personal best in points (57) in 2007-08. He also notched his first career hat trick, a natural hat trick, on March 4 at Edmonton, becoming the second player in franchise history to record a three-goal game on the road. The 6-0, 195-pound left wing was one of three Predators to earn weekly league honors in 2007-08, being named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week on Nov. 19 after posting two-game winning goals and six points (3g-3a) in two games that week.

A veteran of 407 NHL games, Erat became the third Predators draft pick (along with David Legwand and Scott Hartnell) to appear in 400 games for the club on March 20, 2008 vs. Detroit. Originally Nashville’s 12th selection, 191st overall (seventh round) in the 1999 Entry Draft, he will enter the 2008-09 campaign third on both the Predators all-time scoring list (253) and assists list (168), having averaged 53 points over the past four seasons for Nashville. Erat has also been an key part of Nashville’s four consecutive playoff appearances, playing in 20 of the club’s 22 playoff games all-time, while tying for the team lead in playoff points (1g-3a) in the 2007-08.

The Trebic, Czech Republic native served as an alternative captain on several occasions during the 2007-08 campaign, including the final 20 regular-season games and all six postseason contests. He is currently representing his nation at the IIHF World Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Quebec City, the fourth time he has represented the Czech Republic on the world stage.

Erat will return to Nashville and be available to the media at the conclusion of his obligations at the World Championships.

[ScottRasner]

Wow! Good for Erat, he looks to be developing into a great all around player.


I was very impressed as of late, even in the playoffs.

[BrianTheAdsFan]

If he keeps increasing his production, this will be a good signing. I guess the money is starting to flow in Nashville.

[Isles4life]

If he takes a couple more steps forward, then this is potentially a very good signing. But I think that's a lot of time and money invested in the guy. I like Erat, but I think it might end up being a bit much.

[thepolishkid88]

Erat is a good player but 7 years may be a bit much, thats quite a bit of time and money to invest in a guy.

[canuckfan]

I think this is a good investment for the Predators. It also shows a level of commitment to their fans and the players after they let so many key guys go last summer. But Erat is a player who's improved every year for the last 4 seasons, and I think he's only going to get better. Now Nashville has him for 7 years and he's only now entering his prime - and at just over 4 million a year? Thats a pretty decent deal, imo.

Good signing.

[caps05]

The NHL has rejected the deal

[FrontLineAdmirals]

Originally Posted by caps05

The NHL has rejected the deal

I didn't like this signing from the beginning; and was never a big fan of Erat either.

I also wish the story would go more in depth than merely stating the contract "does not conform to the CBA". Any one able to fill in the particulars???

[BrianTheAdsFan]

No wonder he shot after the whistle blew in the worlds...Is it because the Preds were gonna take his children if he didn't perform up to snuff?

[Viper207]

Originally Posted by frontlineads

I also wish the story would go more in depth than merely stating the contract "does not conform to the CBA". Any one able to fill in the particulars???

It had to do with salary increase from one year to the next. In the cap world, you can't make more than double what you did in the previous year of the contract, and Erat's deal was structured too heavy down the road. Some numbers just need to be moved around, but that's kind of an embarrassing mistake to make.

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by Viper207

It had to do with salary increase from one year to the next. In the cap world, you can't make more than double what you did in the previous year of the contract, and Erat's deal was structured too heavy down the road. Some numbers just need to be moved around, but that's kind of an embarrassing mistake to make.

Then again it's Nashville.

[killmachine]

Well at least they see most of there current lineup as a good investment. I'm sure they'll come up with something that'll work. I don't know if I'd shoot for the 7 year mark though. He didn't really produce much in the p-offs this either. Hurt latter in regular season too.

[BrianTheAdsFan]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

Then again it's Nashville.

How's resigning Hossa Coming along?

[baldhedjer]

I agree that showing a commitment to the stars on your roster is a good idea, I'm just a little unsure of everyone jumping on the bandwagon of these long term contracts. It's embarrassing to have details of the deal overturned by the league, and highly risky for a franchise on marginal financial footing. All in all though it at least sends the message that the Predator's are trying to become a long term quality club.