Nicknamed “Mach 9” in recognition of his explosive skating and jersey number, Havlat was drafted out of the Czech Extraliga (HC Ocelari Trinec) by the Ottawa Senators, 26th overall, in the first round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. Armed with great speed and a blistering wrist shot, Havlat impressed in his debut season (19-23—42) to finish as a Calder Memorial Trophy finalist in 2000-01, and he was also named to the NHL All-Rookie team. He helped Ottawa earn the 2002-03 Presidents’ Trophy, and during the club’s playoff push to the Eastern Conference Final, Havlat posted 5-6—11. He went on to set a career-high with 31 goals the next season, while averaging a point-per-game in his 68 appearances. Havlat spent a total of five seasons with the Senators and helped the club reach the postseason each year (14-20—34 in 41 playoff GP).
A testament to his knack for timely goal-scoring in Ottawa, with 23 game-winning goals in 298 regular season games, Havlat was recently named to the Senators’ 25th anniversary team as voted by the fans.
In July 2006, the Chicago Blackhawks acquired Havlat alongside Bryan Smolinski — sending Tom Preissing, Josh Hennessy, Michal Barinka and their 2008 second round draft pick in return. This led to Havlat wearing jersey No. 24 for the first time in his career. The change appeared to agree with Havlat, who in his first game as a Blackhawk on Oct. 5, 2006, matched two goals with two assists, and completed a bounce back season from his shoulder injury by making his first NHL All-Star Game appearance in 2007.
Havlat spent three seasons in Chicago, which he punctuated with an impressive 2008-09 season when he set career-best marks in assists (48), points (77) and plus/minus (+29) in 81 games. He led the team in assists and points, while he placed second behind teammate Jonathan Toews’ 34 goals. For his efforts, he was named the Blackhawks’ team MVP. He was also a key playoff contributor for Chicago that season. In the opening game of the first round, Havlat netted both the game-tying and game-winning goals. He led the team with 15 points on their run to the Western Conference Final.