Is He or Isn’t He? Vladimir Sobotka to Return To St. Louis Blues

Vladimir Sobotka defected to the KHL two years ago; however, the St. Louis Blues still retain rights to his contract in the NHL. Last season Sobotka toyed with returning to the Blues but opted to remain in the KHL. The current off-season has been a game of is he or isn’t he coming back to the NHL and the St. Louis Blues.

Reports coming from “Camp Sobotka” have been conflicting, leaving Blues fans scratching their heads and coming to the point of just not caring anymore if he ever does rejoin the organization. Sobotka’s agent, Petr Svoboda has made remarks that Sobotka will be returning to the St. Louis Blues for the 2016-2017 season. The general manager of the Avangard Omsk, Victor Shalaev, has stated that Vladimir Sobotka will be returning to his KHL team, the Avangard Omsk, as soon as he is healthy for the 2016-2017 season.

While Sobotka was an exciting player to watch during his time with the St. Louis Blues, he really has not been missed. The hole that was expected to have been created with his departure was not as great as projected. Other players stepped up and filled the void, making his departure much less painful. I am a Sobotka fan, but even I have to admit that the Blues have become a better team in his absence.

Sobotka will be playing in the world cup for the Czech Republic beginning September 17^th in Toronto. After the World Cup, it is rumored that Sobotka will return to St. Louis to get ready for the Blues’ training camp.

Training camp is fast approaching. Only then will the rumors swirling around Sobotka’s eminent return will be laid to rest. Will it be great to see Sobotka back in a Blues’ sweater? Sure. However, I would not want to see him back at the expense of losing a younger player who has been dedicated to the team and working towards building a stronger, play-off contending team. Sobotka is an exciting player but he is also a player who seems a little selfish and not fully committed to the team.