Coyotes Player Spotlight: RW Martin Erat
The, then Phoenix Coyotes, were sitting outside the playoffs in March of 2014, and needed to get some help on offense. This is when they traded Rostisla Klesla, a prospect, and 2015 4th round pick to the Washington Capitals for Martin Erat and a prospect.
Martin Erat is a 33-year-old Czech right-winger who was drafted in 1999 by the Nashville Predators. Erat made is rookie debut in the 2001-2002 season, where he set a rookie record for the Predators with 80 games played, 24 assists, and 33 points. From 2001-2013 he played very well for the Predators, going to the AHL for a season and missed several weeks of the 2006-2007 season with a torn MCL.
In April of 2013 Erat was traded to the Washington Capitals, only a few months into the season Erat requested a trade after being demoted to the fourth line and then asked again when he was a healthy scratch for the first time in his career. It was not until March 4 of 2014 that Erat was finally traded to Arizona. In just two games for the Coyotes in 2014, he was able to get two goals and three assists. Sadly it did not help the Coyotes reach the playoffs.
Nov 4, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Martin Erat (10) is stopped on a breakaway by Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer (34) during the first period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
In Erat’s first full season as a Coyote he played 79 games, scoring nine goals and having 23 assists for 32 points. With the whole Coyotes team not performing well in 2014-2015 Erat often made beautiful passed that lead to goals. He played on the Power Play for the Coyotes, and was able to get three of his seven goals while on it. Erat missed several games because of a lingering upper body injury, but looks to be healthy heading into the 2015-2016 season.
If Erat wants to be successful in this upcoming season he needs to be attacking the net. He does not have eye-popping numbers, but can be combined with other great players to help the Coyotes win.Often times, like many of the Coyotes players, he was waiting outside the face-off circles for the puck. Erat is a very quick skater and he can use that to his advantage, being able to be effective on the forecheck.
Erat was often juggled with on several different lines, including pairing with Shane Doan, Rob Klinkhammer, and Lauri Korpikoski. Coming into this season Erat looks to be sitting on the second line, paired with left-winger Lauri Korpikoski. We will all found out in September what this Coyotes team looks like and who Erat will be on a line with.