Blues forward Sobotka out until after Olympics

[PeteMoss]

Would love to see the Czech's miss the quarter finals... but it seems semi-impossible for that to happen. Even if they lose to Sweden and Switzerland in their group, they'll end up in a qualification game and likely playing one of the bottom feeders for a QF spot.

[Mango]

I'm sorry. Am I just seeing things or is that a big fat goose egg in the goals category for the 2013-2014 season?

http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8468064

Solid decision, I'm sure.

[bubbsy]

hudler has simply ticked someone off in the Czech management group. There is absolutely NO other explanation given his play this season.

[ForeverFlameFan]

You really question what's going on in their minds for not picking a player that is producing points, even with a team like us. They won't win gold, but they will at least be a better contender with Hudler in the lineup.

[Huntingwhale]

Brutal. The only thing Erat is good at is requesting trades. I hope the Czechs get last place.

[calgaryboy]

Guys, greetings from Czech republic. No surprise for me. Erat is more defensive forward than Hudler, Hadamczik wanted to replace Sobotka with similar type of player. I don ´t like this move like you, but as I said no surprise here. Knew it. I hope Hadamczik will be gone after Sochi if our national team will fail. I hope he will be gone forever!

[Muta]

He wants someone who is good at offense as well?

Doesn't Erat have 0 goals?

[strombad]

Originally Posted by Muta

He wasn't someone who is good at offense as well?

Doesn't Erat have 0 goals?

I think the Czech team just took a peek at the two and said "Oh, Erat has less goals, must mean he is better defensively!"

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Cole436

If I was in his position, I'd tell them to go to hell. Putting the coach's son in law on the team before a first/second line NHLer. Ridiculous.

Whoa. Who's that?

[StrykerSteve]

Erat


Hudler


Better in every statistical category, including +/-. Pretty much says it all.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Erat


Hudler


Better in every statistical category, including +/-. Pretty much says it all.

Wow, not even one goal for Erat... That's actually quite surprising... Didn't he score a lot of goals when he was with Nashville?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by calgaryboy

Guys, greetings from Czech republic. No surprise for me. Erat is more defensive forward than Hudler, Hadamczik wanted to replace Sobotka with similar type of player. I don ´t like this move like you, but as I said no surprise here. Knew it. I hope Hadamczik will be gone after Sochi if our national team will fail. I hope he will be gone forever!

Yes, they wanted to replace a defensive player.

But there is more than one way to do that. They could have switched the roles of one of the more versatile players that are currently slotted for the top 6, and then brought in Hudler.

That would have given them more talent overall while still maintaining the balance of roles.

The only explanation is a personal issue between the coach (or whoever is making the decision) and Hudler.

It's a shame, but Hudler will benefit from the time off.

[Coach]

The fact the niether of Hudler or Erat (despite his struggles this season) were not on the original roster is ridiculous. Erat should be there too.

[PeteMoss]

Hey.. don't be rough on Erat guys. He scored FIVE goals last year.

[automaton 3]

Some kind of grudge or personal vendetta against Hudler is about the only explanation at this point. Why else would you leave one of your most dynamic offensive options at home? Surely there are other players already on the team that can pick up defensive duties, not to mention that Hudler is no slouch in that area either.

I don't understand why the coach alone appears to have complete authority over roster decisions.

[northcrunk]

I hope they finish behind Norway and Austria

[djsFlames]

Well then.

F#### the Czech republic (sorry Smid), hope they get ripped apart and embarrassed in these games.

Incompetent management allowing personal #### to influence their decisions like a bunch of children. Whatever it was, get over it. This is your country's team, not yours.

[Jacks]

Joke that Hudler isn't on the team. That being said I'd take Erat over Nedved.

[Drury18]

It appears Jiri has taken the Olympic snub quite hard and gave up on the winter sports and is now preparing himself for a spot on the Czech Basketball Team in the Summer Olympics.