Predators sign RW Erat

May 12, 2008 - 8:24 PM NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Martin Erat parlayed a career season into a lucrative long-term contract.

Erat on Monday signed a seven-year, $31.5 deal with the Nashville Predators.

A 1999 seventh-round pick, Erat scored a career-high 23 goals this past season and notched 57 points, matching his career best set in 2006-07. The 26-year-old Czech right wing also recorded his first hat trick and set a personal mark with six game-winning tallies.

"Martin Erat is a perfect example of this organization's philosophy," Predators general manager David 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."

Currently playing for the Czech Republic at the World Championship, Erat - a 2006 Olympian - registered a goal and three assists in Nashville's six-game loss to the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference quarterfinals.

In 407 career games with the Predators, Erat has collected 85 goals and 168 assists. He is third on the franchise list in both assists and points.