Blues GM says he's not received confirmation that Sobotka will stay in KHL

Vladimir Sobotka is keeping the St. Louis Blues in the dark.

General manager Doug Armstrong told Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he's not received confirmation from Sobotka's agent, calling reports of his decision to stay with Avangard Omsk as "premature."

Though Armstrong may be holding out hope, Avangard has long been under the impression Sobotka will return for a second season.

Sobotka, who owes the Blues his next term of North American service, was awarded $2.7 million in arbitration for his next NHL contract - a decision that motivated him to bolt for a more lucrative salary in Russia.