The Vladimir Sobotka saga has come to a close.
Sobotka, 29, had flirted with the possibility of returning to the St. Louis Blues after spending the past two seasons in the KHL. Now, he's decided he's staying in Russia, the KHL club stated Tuesday.
The veteran center scored 34 points in 44 games with the Omsk Avangard last season.
Re: this morning's report that Sobotka is headed back to KHL, the Blues are "still waiting to hear" from his camp about their intentions.
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) September 27, 2016
Sobotka last played with the Blues in 2013-14, recording 33 points in 61 games. Following that year, as a restricted free agent, Sobotka opted to sign with Avangard.
An arbitrator has since decided that the Blues will retain Sobotka's rights for one season, should he make an NHL return, after which he can become an unrestricted free agent.
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