The Martin Erat Contract

Is anyone else wondering how Martin Erat was signed to a 7 year, $31.5 million contract???? I am still shocked that he got this contract. Now, I do think that Erat is a good hockey player. In fact, he is a solid second line winger. But, let's be straight. He still lacks consistency and does not really play in the dirty areas.

How do you give a player of this caliber a 7 year deal???? That is a long time. I do not favor these contracts in any situation but at least give the long-term contracts to top players. His average cap hit will be $4.5 million!!! That is a lot of money to pay a second-tier player in today's NHL.

If you have a take on this contract, tell us in the comments section.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Nightly Recap - Sabourin Picks up Relief Win

Pittsburgh 6 - Ottawa 5 - Dany Sabourin entered the game with the Pens down 2-0 and earns the relief win in a shootout. After playing in only 9 games last year backing up Roberto Luonogo, Sabourin has appeared in more games this year than all of last year. Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza had three points each for the Sens, Pittsburgh's Ryan Malone also collected three points.

Nashville 3 - Detroit 2 - Martin Erat was in on all three Predator goals, putting up a goal and two assists. Erat started off slow this season recording only 6 points in his first 11 games, but in his past 10 games, he has scored 14 points, including 5 multi-point nights. Chris Mason stopped 28 in the win.

Chicago 2 - Calgary 1 - Chicago scored both of their goals tonight on the penalty kill, it was Patrick Sharp's fifth shorthanded goal of the month (!) and Jacob Dowell put in the other in his NHL debut. Khabibulin stopped 30 saves in the win. The Flames are now 3-7-0 in their last 10.

Colorado 3 - Edmonton 2 - The Avalanche ended a four game road losing streak, receiving goals from Milan Heduk, Karlis Skrastins and Marek Svatos. Joni Pitkanen returned to the lineup tonight for the Oilers after missing 13 games with a knee.

Tomorrow's Games (all times Eastern)
12:00pm NYI@BOS,
1:00pm WSH@PHI
2:00pm CLB@MIN
4:00pm PHX@ANA
7:00pm TB@CGY
7:30pm MTL@BUF, NYR@FLA, NJ@ATL
8:30pm TOR@DAL, VAN@STL

NHL Network Plays of the Week

Here are the top 10 NHL plays of the week, as shown by the NHL Network. If you ask me, the last play is a complete joke and doesn't deserve to be on the list. Contains a nice amount of Lecavalier and Brodeur. Enjoy.

Personally I feel that this goal by Scottie Upshall should have been number one.

Goals of the Night - November 12, 2007

After watching tonights great hockey, I have taken the time to make a nifty highlight video of tonight's top five goals. I have added in some hip early 90s music, making for a great video. Enjoy.