Vladimir Sobotka has once again been the center of speculation amongst Blues fans. With Sobotka’s KHL season in the books, some have discussed that Sobotka may make a return to the Blues just in time for the playoffs. The notion wasn’t completely far-fetched as you may recall Alexander Radulov joined the Predators prior to the postseason after his KHL games were completed back in 2011-12.
Regardless of your opinion on Sobotka, you can put any idea of him returning to the Blues out of your head. A return to the Blues this season seemed possible yet very improbable, but a new report squashes that theory entirely.
Via Sportsnet.ca:
There was at least one Western Conference team wondering if Vladimir Sobotka would magically show up in St. Louis Blues during the playoffs, a la Alexander Radulov for Nashville in 2012.
The answer is no. GM Doug Armstrong said last weekend Sobotka — who is Czech — wants to play at the World Championships, which are being held May 1-17 in Prague and Ostrava.
Even if Sobotka wanted to come back, there is still the matter of solving a difficult negotiation. He owes St. Louis another season, although a three-year deal somewhere above $3M per season likely solves everything. But there’s no guarantee the Blues are willing to do that.
It sounds like the matter is settled, but you have to question whether the Blues would even want Sobotka back this season. The Blues know exactly what Sobotka could bring to the table on the ice, but would they really want a guy who openly shunned the team in favor of greener pastures popping into the dressing room this late in the season? Probably not. It’d likely rub at least a few players the wrong way and it’s critical to have everyone on the same page during the playoffs.
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