Sobotka Inks In Omsk

When the news came out that Vladimir Sobotka signed a deal in Russia, many Blues fans first reaction was anger. Which is understandable. Sobotka established himself as the best face-off man in the league by winning 61% of his draws. While he had the best statistical season in his career (9 goals, 24 assists - 33 points).

Sobotka signed a three year contract with Avangard Omsk in the KHL. Rumor has it he's set to make four million a season there, equivalent to six million here. If these rumors are true, the Blues were absolutely right by not signing him. If he was asking four million a year, Armstrong was right to balk at a deal paying him that much.

The Blues did file for team arbitration with Sobotka, which is scheduled for July 21st. So if Sobotka does indeed head to the KHL, he will have to honor the contract awarded by the arbitrator if he returns to the NHL. It's unknown if Sobotka or his agent will be present at the arbitration meeting, but Doug Armstrong has stated that he will go regardless.

Regarding Sobotka's KHL deal, he does have out clause after every year of his deal. So say he joins Omsk this season, then wants to return next season, he'd be allowed to do so.

Peter Svoboda, Sobotka's new agent, has confirmed his contract with Omsk and has confirmed that he'll play in the KHL next season.

Ott Returns For Two Years

Regardless if the Sobotka deal comes to fruition as fact or if it's just possibility that Sobotka and Omsk are close to a deal, the Blues have added yet another body to the roster, and one that the Blues are familiar with.

Armstrong signed Steve Ott to a two year, 2.6 million dollar contract. Ott, who was acquired from Buffalo last season, played in 23 games with the Blues, going goalless and adding three assists. In six playoff games, he added two assists as well.

Now Blues fans were soured on Ott rather quickly. He failed to score in 29 games with the Blues, took some boneheaded penalties at times, and was a -12 which was worst on the team. Magnus Paajarvi ranked second to last in that category with a -6.

However, Ott finished in the top 25 face-off percentage in the league, which is pretty good considering the amount of centers in the league. While he didn't post Sobotka type numbers, having a top 25 face-off man is never a bad thing.

If Ott can adjust his defensive tendencies to be a little less aggressive, he'll be a perfect fit in the bottom six for the Blues. So despite the anger of many fans, Ott is probably the second best option for replacing Sobotka, with signing Sobotka as the first option.

Considering he signed for 2.6, while Sobotka was rumored to want four million plus, the Blues could have done worse.



Blues Sign Four To Two Way Contracts

Over the last week, the Blues have signed four players to one year, two-way contracts. John McCarthy, Pat Cannone, Sebastian Wannstrom, and David Shields.

The only new face is John McCarthy, who's played the last five seasons in San Jose's organization. Playing in 87 games with the Sharks, McCarthy scored three goals, three assists.

Last season, McCarthy split the year between San Jose and Worcester of the AHL. In 36 games in the NHL, he notched a goal and an assists. In 13 games in Worcester, he recored three goals and four assists.

He's a basic tweener who can play in the NHL and not look entirely out of place, and can post points in the American Hockey League when playing.

Cannone joined the organization last season, playing in 59 games in the AHL, registering 16 goals and 18 assists. He was a valued member of the organization who filled a need in the AHL. A veteran of the league, he helped transition some younger players into the AHL.

Wannstrom came back over to North America last season after splitting time in the AHL, ECHL, and the SEL in 2012-13. While starting the year in the ECHL, (four games, three goals, two assists), He was called up to the AHL, and didn't look at all out of place.

Playing in 37 games, Wannstrom scored five goals, five assists while providing an excellent defensive game. Wannstrom a penalty killer with the Wolves and was impressive in the process. Wannstrom was always a player who had bottom six potential but looked to be falling out of favor in the prospect pool. After this past season, he re-established himself as a prospect with NHL potential. Granted he'll never be an offensive force, he does provide excellent defense and could be a player who might make a push to make the team in the 2015-16 season.

Lastly, the Blues inked David Shields to a one year deal. Shields is another player who re-established himself as a prospect last season with the Chicago Wolves. Shields played two previous seasons in the AHL, playing in 107 games, registering nine assists.

In just 55 games this season, he scored five goals and added 10 assists. His defensive play really took a step forward paired with Taylor Chorney, an AHL veteran. Chorney has moved on to play in Pittsburgh's organization, but Shields will be back patrolling the blueline for the Wolves.




I want to apologize for my lateness today. I was attending a visitation for my uncle who lost his battle to cancer just days ago.

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