Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

McPhee: ‘No regrets’ about acquiring Erat, will look to make trade

George McPhee

George McPhee has heard Martin Erat’s trade demands, and he’s going to try and meet them.

That was the story out of Washington on Monday as the Caps GM addressed media following Erat’s announcement that he wants out of the nation’s capital less than 10 months after being acquired from Nashville.

“Marty doesn’t feel like he fits in here,” McPhee explained. “We’ll try to accommodate him.”

Among the noteworthy points made by McPhee regarding the situation:

-- The Caps GM had “no regrets” about making the deal last April.

-- Washington won’t retain any of Erat’s salary in a trade. The 32-year-old Czech has two years remaining on his deal with a $4.5 average annual cap hit, but his salary is $3.75 million this year and $2.25 million in 2014-15.

-- McPhee and head coach Adam Oates said Erat has been “professional” with his trade demands, and they expect him to remain that way. All of this sounds as though Caps fans can expect Erat to keep playing until a deal is found.

-- McPhee suggested there is interest in Erat, and that his no-movement clause won’t be an issue.

The Caps acquired Erat at last year’s trade deadline in exchange for Filip Forsberg, the club’s first-round pick (11th overall) at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Washington also received forward Michael Latta in the deal.

Erat, projected to be a top-six forward with the Caps, has been a huge disappointment, scoring just once in 32 games while barely playing over 13 minutes a night. He was displeased with his role in the team’s offense and cryptically alluded to wanting out of Washington just one week into the regular season.