Martin Erat has been picked by the Czech Olympic Team to fill in for injured center Vladimir Sobotka, Zdenek Janda of Denik Sport</a. reports.

Erat has been picked by the Czech Olympic Team to fill in for injured center Vladimir Sobotka, Zdenek Janda of Denik Sport</a. reports.

Analysis:

Despite having yet to register a goal in the 2013-2014 NHL season, Erat has made the Czech Olympic team. The 32-year-old winger has been a healthy scratch at times this season for the Caps, but has played his best hockey of the season over the last few games, and has five assists in his last five games. Ironically, it is likely that the experience he has had a bottom-six center this season (something Erat has had concerns about) was a significant factor in being selected to replace the injured Sobotka, an imposing checking-line center in his own right. The announcement is good news for Erat, and perhaps with this monkey off his back, the goals will finally start to come.