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Sobotka injury may open door for Hudler on Czech roster

Calgary Flames v Nashville Predators

NASHVILLE, TN - JANUARY 14: Jiri Hudler #24 of the Calgary Flames skates against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on January 14, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

Frederick Breedon

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.

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.

Follow @JoeYerdonPHT