Sobotka returning to Blues, agent reiterates

The St. Louis Blues continue to plan for a future that includes Vladimir Sobotka.

General manager Doug Armstrong said in July that Sobotka would return to Missouri, but reports in Russia have him remaining in the KHL. His agent, however, confirmed his client's return to the U.S.

"I spoke to the agent (Wednesday), and he said (Sobotka) will be here," Armstrong told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jeremy Rutherford.

The 29-year-old has an out clause in his KHL contract, and Rutherford writes that there's a paperwork delay in having the forward's contract terminated.

Sobotka spent the last two seasons in Russia, scoring 28 goals. He last played for the Blues in 2013-14, registering nine goals and 33 points in 61 games. He's under contract with the Blues for one more season, scheduled to earn $2.725 million.

A fourth-round pick by the Boston Bruins in 2005, Sobotka's played 381 games in the NHL, scoring 35 goals and adding 88 assists. He has 12 points in 40 career playoff games.