Vladimir Sobotka spurns Blues again, will reportedly remain in KHL next season

With the status remaining quo in St. Louis, Vladimir Sobotka will steer clear.

Sobotka has reportedly informed Avangard Omsk that he's decided against a return to the St. Louis Blues and will remain in the KHL next season, reports Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch via Russia's Hawk.ru.

The 27-year-old had a two-week window to negotiate a homecoming deal, but much like his previous contract discussions, they appear to have quickly gone stale.

He will earn more than $4.5 million staying with Omsk, a sizable bump on the $2.7 million he was awarded in U.S. arbitration, but there is risk associated with his decision. The KHL is currently in financial peril, a league-wide issue typified by its Sochi franchise having been issued a lawsuit for their failure to pay players.

Sobotka contributed nine goals and 33 points in his last NHL stint back in 2013-14.