After signing right winger Martin Erat to a seven year/$31.5 million contract they will need to try again after the NHL voided the contract. The contract did not fall within stipulations set by the CBA that say a contract cannot go up by more than 100% of the lower salary in the new deal.
Erat was fourth on the team in scoring this season with 23 goals and 34 assists for a total of 57 points. The winger is currently representing the Czech Republic in the World Championships in Halifax.
Erat remains one of the big four free agents the Predators need to resign. The other three are goaltender Dan Ellis and defensmen Shea Weber and Ryan Suter.
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5 months ago
I heard on 104.5 that the problems with the contract were reportedly minor and could be fixed very quickly. The problem seems to be hinged on how the salary is distributed over the seven years. The contract is apparently front loaded and Erat is set to make $6.3 million in 08-09. The last year of the contract, he was slated to make less than $3 million.
That's a violation of the collective bargaining agreement, which states that in no given year can a player's salary be less than half of the dollars paid in the highest paid year of the contract. Sounds like some algebra will clear up every question but one.
Is Martin Erat building a retirement home in Nashville or Hamilton?
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