Martin Havlát

Lore & Background

Havlát began his NHL career with the Ottawa Senators after being drafted in 1999 and spending one more season in the Czech Republic. In his rookie season (2000–01), he recorded 19 goals and 42 points and was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy. He earned the nickname 'Mach 9' for his speed and jersey number. During his tenure with the Senators, he was suspended multiple times for incidents including kicking and high-sticking, and was criticized by Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach Ken Hitchcock for his stickwork. Havlát's most productive season with Ottawa came in 2003–04, when he scored 31 goals and 68 points in 68 games.

In July 2006, Havlát was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in a three-way deal that also involved the San Jose Sharks. He signed a three-year, $18 million contract and switched to number 24 because number 9 was retired for Bobby Hull. He made his Blackhawks debut with two goals and two assists in an 8–6 win over the Nashville Predators. Despite injuries limiting him to 56 games in his first season, he produced 57 points and was selected for the 2007 NHL All-Star Game. In the 2008–09 season, Havlát led the Blackhawks in scoring with a career-high 77 points and helped the team reach the Western Conference Finals, where he was knocked out of game three by a hit from Niklas Kronwall. Despite being named team MVP, he was not re-signed after contract negotiations broke down, with Havlát stating that he did not leave the team but rather they left him.

Havlát subsequently signed with the Minnesota Wild, then was traded to the San Jose Sharks in 2011. His time with the Sharks was marked by injuries, including a torn hamstring and a bilateral pelvic floor reconstruction. He became the first Sharks player in franchise history to be bought out from the remaining year of his contract in June 2014. He later signed with the New Jersey Devils and, after going unsigned, agreed to a professional tryout with the St. Louis Blues, earning a one-year contract in November 2015. He scored the game-winning goal in his Blues debut but requested termination of his contract after two games, citing personal reasons later revealed to be a groin injury. He announced his retirement on February 8, 2017.

Reader's Guide

Martin Havlát's significance lies in his role as a dynamic offensive forward whose career was shaped by both high productivity and persistent injuries. He was a Calder Memorial Trophy finalist in his rookie season and consistently produced at a point-per-game pace when healthy, including a career-high 77 points in 2008–09 that led the Chicago Blackhawks to their first playoff appearance since 2002. His speed earned him the nickname 'Mach 9,' and he was selected for the 2007 NHL All-Star Game. Havlát's tenure with the Blackhawks was notable for his immediate impact—scoring four points in his debut—and for being named team MVP in his final season with the club, despite the team's decision not to re-sign him. His legacy also includes being part of a controversial trade that sent him from Ottawa to Chicago, and later being the first Sharks player bought out of his contract. Off the ice, his strained contract negotiations with Chicago were publicly documented on social media. Havlát's career ultimately reflects a player of considerable talent whose contributions were frequently interrupted by injury, yet who remained a notable figure in the NHL for over a decade.