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Vladimir Sobotka might return to Blues from KHL

St. Louis Blues v New Jersey Devils

NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 21: Vladimir Sobotka #17 of the St. Louis Blues takes the puck in the first period against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on January 21, 2014 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Elsa

St. Louis was missing veteran forward in Vladimir Sobotka this season because he opted to to play in the KHL rather than accept a one-year, $2.7 million contract from the Blues. He might come back for the 2015-16 campaign though.

That $2.7 million contract -- which he would have to accept in order to retun to the NHL as it matches the arbitrators ruling -- might be looking more appealing now as Russia’s ruble has gone down in value since last summer.

“When he left, it was a business decision and I respected that,” Blues GM Doug Armstrong said. “I understood it. He had to do what he to do and we had to do what was right for the organization. I’d welcome him back with open arms. I think the ruble is going to make his decision maybe a little bit easier. ... If he wants to come back, I’d love to have him. I love what he brought to our team, love his attitude. I’m a huge fan of the man and I respected the business decision. It was never a personal thing from my perspective.”

Sobotka’s agent, Petr Svoboda, said that his client was looking for a one-year, $3 million deal from St. Louis last year, but the Blues agree to it. Sobotka went on to score 10 goals and 38 points in 53 contests while playing for the KHL’s Omsk Avangard. In his last season with St. Louis, he had nine goals and 33 points in 61 games.

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