Vladimir Sobotka landed on injured reserve for the St. Louis Blues with a leg injury that will knock him out of the Olympics. That opens the door for another player to join the Czech Republic roster and it could be Calgary’s Jiri Hudler.
Olympic coach Alois Hadamczik told TV NOVA in the Czech Republic (via Roman Jedlicki) that Hudler may be the leading candidate to replace Sobotka on the Czech roster.
I am afraid neither Sobotka's injury opens the door to Sochi for #flames Jiri Hudler. This is what coach Hadamczik said for TV NOVA: "if (1)
— Roman Jedlicka (@jedli) February 2, 2014
Sobotka is offensive player I would say Hudler is our number one choice. But Sobotka is defensive player, good on PK and faceoff, uses (2)
— Roman Jedlicka (@jedli) February 2, 2014
his body effectively. We have such players like Erat, Kovar, Irgl or Rolinek. I have to think about it and make the best decision for team."
— Roman Jedlicka (@jedli) February 2, 2014
Yes, Capitals forward Martin Erat, he of zero goals in 47 games this season, could also get the call. As for the other players mentioned, here’s what their story is:
Tomas Rolinek -- 33-year-old currently with Praha in the Czech league and was on the 2010 Olympic team.
Jan Kovar -- 23-year-old forward currently with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the KHL and has 66 points in 50 games.
Zbynek Irgl -- 33-year-old forward with Dinamo Minsk in the KHL. He has 18 points in 46 games.
Interesting choices abound, but Hudler’s omission from the roster in the first place was a surprise. He would seem like the logical choice, but Rolinek could be the “safe” selection for the Czechs.