The San Jose Sharks fired coach Ron Wilson yesterday after the team's latest disappointing early ouster from the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Wilson, hired by the club in December 2002, is the Sharks' leader in wins and winning percentage, but San Jose only advanced past the second round of the postseason once with him behind the bench.

The Sharks were the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs this year, but were eliminated in six games in the second round by the Dallas Stars after falling into a 3-0 hole.

San Jose earned two Pacific Division titles, including this season when the Sharks went 49-23-10, under Wilson and reached the Western Conference final in 2004 before falling to upstart Calgary.

In four-plus seasons, Wilson -- the sixth coach in team history -- went 206-134-45 in 385 regular-season games.

"Ron helped foster a new era in San Jose Sharks hockey with some record-setting, regular-season performances," general manager Doug Wilson said in a statement. "However, ultimately we have decided that it is time for a different voice and a different approach to lead this team.

"We are proud of what we've accomplished as an organization, but we feel that this team is capable of achieving greater success."

Wilson is the franchise leader in postseason games, posting a 28-24. In addition to the appearance in the conference final, Wilson also led the Sharks to the second round in his final three seasons as coach.

Predators

Nashville signed forward Martin Erat, a Czech Republic native, to a seven-year, $31.5 million contract. Erat ranks third on the team in career scoring (253). He joined Nashville in the 2001-02 season after being selected in the 1999 draft.

Erat, 26, has averaged 53 points over the past four seasons with Nashville and had a career-high 23 goals in the 2007-08 season. He has played more than 400 NHL games, all with Nashville, including 20 of the club's 22 playoff games.