Martin Erat is a former Czech professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He began his career in the Czech Extraliga, playing for HC Zlín, before being drafted by the Nashville Predators in the seventh round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.
Erat made his NHL debut with the Predators in the 2001-2002 season and quickly established himself as a reliable forward. He was known for his speed, agility, and playmaking abilities, and was often used on the power play and penalty kill. Erat was also a consistent scorer, tallying at least 40 points in eight of his 11 seasons with the Predators.
In 2013, Erat was traded to the Washington Capitals in exchange for top prospect Filip Forsberg. While he struggled to find his footing with the Capitals, Erat continued to be a valuable player in the NHL. He was eventually traded to the Phoenix Coyotes in 2014, where he finished out his career before returning to the Czech Republic to play for HC Kometa Brno.
Throughout his career, Erat represented the Czech Republic in international play, including the Olympics and World Championships. He was a member of the Czech team that won the bronze medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.
Despite his success on the ice, Erat's career was not without controversy. In 2013, he requested a trade from the Predators, citing a lack of trust in the team's coaching staff. This led to a public feud between Erat and Predators head coach Barry Trotz, with Trotz accusing Erat of being selfish and putting his own interests ahead of the team's.
Overall, Martin Erat had a successful career in the NHL, playing for over a decade and earning a reputation as a skilled and reliable forward. While his career was not without controversy, Erat's contributions to the sport of hockey will be remembered by fans and fellow players alike.
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