Photo credit: Jared S.

Veteran forward and close-friend-of-the-corsis Martin Erat was a healthy scratch on Friday for the second straight game. Erat, who was relegated to the fourth line at the beginning of the season, has requested a trade twice this season. With oft-injured Brooks Laich returned from injury, Adam Oates has removed Erat from his spot on a checking line and banished him to the press box.

Not sure how that helps the team or raises Erat’s trade value or does anything except illustrate Oates’ vindictiveness.

After the Capitals’ 4-3 win, reader Jared S. noticed Erat down near ice level, holding his son Sebastian. Jared asked if he could get a pic and Erat obliged. According to a tweet Jared sent to us, after telling Erat “hope to see you in the lineup soon,” the 32-year-old Czech laughed. Hard. At least he still has a sense of humor about the whole mess.