Questions in regards to Vladimir Sobotka's planned return to the St. Louis Blues continue to be raised.
A recent report out of Russia quoted Avangard Omsk's general manager as saying Sobotka would be joining the KHL club as soon as he's ready to play, adding "Forget about St. Louises and other nonsense."
According to Blues GM Doug Armstrong, however, all indications are Sobotka will indeed be returning to the Blues following the World Cup.
"I've talked to Petr Svoboda (Sobotka's agent) daily over the last few weeks and nothing has changed," Armstrong said Thursday, per Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "(Sobotka) is getting ready for the World Cup. He's planning on staying here when that's over and coming back to our franchise. He's excited about it."
Sobotka has been playing in Omsk for the past two seasons after walking away from a one-year contract handed down in arbitration. Playing out that deal with the Blues is necessary in order for him to continue on with his NHL career, be it on an extension in St. Louis or elsewhere.
Armstrong admits there will be a measure of uncertainty until Sobotka is seen again in a St. Louis jersey.
"It's one of those ones where I understand everyone's nervousness because he's not here," Armstrong said. "But he's not going to be here until after the World Cup, so I think the questions are going to persist until he gets off the plane at Lambert (Airport) and comes into the (arena). When he does that, this will finally be behind us."
Sobotka is set to play for the Czech Republic at the international tournament in Toronto in September.
