According to reports, the St. Louis Blues can expect 28-year old forward Vladimir Sobotka to return to the lineup in 2016-17 after spending the past two seasons in the KHL.
Army on Sobotka: "I've been told by the agent he's coming back. I haven't gotten anything official…so I'm going on what he's telling me."
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) June 18, 2016
Sobotka left North America in 2014 after signing a three-year deal with Omsk Avangard of the KHL. Based on these recent developments, it sounds as if he’s opting out of his last season in Russia and returning to the NHL.
Sobotka played 97 regular season games throughout his KHL stint, recording 28 goals and 72 total points. He also added four points through six playoff games with Omsk.
Prior to departing for Russia, he played 381 NHL games between the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues. He tallied 35 goals and 123 total points.
Sobotka’s return is a bright spot for a team facing a few tough decisions this summer. Armstrong and the Blues are also facing the potential loss of captain David Backes and Troy Brouwer, who was acquired last summer in exchange for T.J. Oshie.
