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After two years in the KHL, it sounds like Vladimir Sobotka will rejoin the Blues

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

The St. Louis Blues might be on the verge of losing potential free agents like David Backes and Troy Brouwer, but it sounds like a familiar face will be returning from Russia.

Vladimir Sobotka is ready to come back to North America. After playing seven years in the NHL with the Bruins and Blues, the 28-year-old decided to continue his career with Omsk Avangard in the KHL over the last two seasons. But Blues GM Doug Armstrong was told that he can expect to have Sobotka back for 2016-17.

“I’ve been told by the agent (Petr Svoboda) he’s coming back,” Armstrong said, per The St. Louis Dispatch. “I haven’t gotten anything official paperwork-wise, so I’m going on what he’s telling me. We’ll know by July 1.”

Sobotka originally signed a three-year deal with Omsk, but decided it was time to opt out of his contract after just two seasons. He was reportedly making around $4 million in the KHL. Prior to him leaving, the Blues had offered him a one-year contract at $2.7 million and a two-year contract at $3 million per year.

Sobotka had nine goals, 33 points and 72 penalty minutes in 61 games in his last NHL season back in 2013-14.