Randall Ritchey: Sobotka To KHL, Ott Returns, And More Vladimir Sobotka is headed to Russia, and Steve Ott is back in St. Louis. The Blues have also inked four to one year, two way contracts.

It sucks, but Sobotka is not worth more than 3-4 million in the NHL. Good riddance!

I like Sobotka, but the Blues will be more than fine without him.

Go get your money Vlad.

No need to apologize for lateness, Randall. Family should always comes first. Sorry to hear of your loss.

It sucks, but Sobotka is not worth more than 3-4 million in the NHL. Good riddance!
- cuethenoise

Its a double blow. Loss of Sobotka sucks. But then add on that contract for Ott? Terrible deal for a terrible hockey player.

His agent Petr Svoboda talked to Czech media and said that Blues offer was 2.7M, not negotiable. I'm not sure about Blues salary cap position, but Svoboda also said that he asked for 3M. I'm eager to see how arbitration goes and if Sobotka sends someone on his behalf. It kind of sucks to not see him in the NHL, even in another jersey. It'll be noticeable that he's gone from Blues lineup, though.

The road to a Cup in the West is going to be even tougher this year for everyone.

That said, I'm glad Sobotka's going, he was one tough little bugger to play against. Ott's a decent player and would have liked to see him in Chicago's bottom 6.

Its a double blow. Loss of Sobotka sucks. But then add on that contract for Ott? Terrible deal for a terrible hockey player.
- Iggysbff

Agree. For a team that wants to pride itself on puck possession its going to more than hurt to lose the best face off man in the NHL. He was also a valuable defensive player and PK.

Meanwhile Ott (while a good face off man himself) racked up minuses at a record clip last year.

Not only am I sour on Ott but I was incredibly sour as to how Hitchcock tried to use him. Somewhere along the line Hitch had convinced himself that Ott was the everyman, playing him in the top six and the power play and all kinds of stupid situations he didn't belong.

Hate to see this marriage continue.

His agent Petr Svoboda talked to Czech media and said that Blues offer was 2.7M, not negotiable. I'm not sure about Blues salary cap position, but Svoboda also said that he asked for 3M. I'm eager to see how arbitration goes and if Sobotka sends someone on his behalf. It kind of sucks to net see him in the NHL, even in another jersey. It'll be noticeable that he's gone from Blues lineup, though.
- stonefire

Yeah I don't think I believe that, if it was truly only $300,000 separating the two I think Armstrong would have got it done. Svoboda is a hack that convinces his players to leave for the KHL. See: Jaromir Jagr.

No need to apologize for lateness, Randall. Family should always comes first. Sorry to hear of your loss.
- j98but

Completely agree Randall. I appreciate you taking the time now to write this. Prayers for you and your family.

Sorry about your Uncle Randall.

"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."


Sorry, but that is one of the worst things I have seen you write Randall

IF Ott can adjust his defensive tendenices? What makes you think it will change now in Otts career?

Don't forget IF Ott can score a goal. And IF Ott doesn't have a -38 again this season

And I firmly believe a guy in the top 25% in faceoffs is not worth the other baggage Ott carries on a team.

But we shall see how the Blues do with him for a whole season.

Yeah I don't think I believe that, if it was truly only $300,000 separating the two I think Armstrong would have got it done.
- cuethenoise

Well, that's what he said. And I have to correct myself, he didn't speak with Czech media but with STLtoday.com:

“He started at $2.4 million (for one season) and he came up to $2.7 million, so he gave me his best number,” Svoboda said. “We were at one year, $3 million. So basically it was over $300,000. There was no room for negotiation. It was one year at $2.7 (million) — take it.”

http://www.stltoday.com/s...04-9d70-c62e7c64524c.html

Apparently, the Blues offered Sobotka 3+M for 3 to 5 years, but he wanted 1 year deal to become UFA next summer. Blues went for that but offered just 2.7M. That's what I gathered from the news, FWIW.

Well, that's what he said. And I have to correct myself, he didn't speak with Czech media but with STLtoday.com:

“He started at $2.4 million (for one season) and he came up to $2.7 million, so he gave me his best number,” Svoboda said. “We were at one year, $3 million. So basically it was over $300,000. There was no room for negotiation. It was one year at $2.7 (million) — take it.”

http://www.stltoday.com/s...04-9d70-c62e7c64524c.html

Apparently, the Blues offered Sobotka 3+M for 3 to 5 years, but he wanted 1 year deal to become UFA next summer. Blues went for that but offered just 2.7M. That's what I gathered from the news, FWIW.
- stonefire

So if the Blues offered him 3+ million a season for 3 to 5 years...Why not come up from 2.7 to 3 on a 1 year deal and retain his rights???

300k difference....bizarre.

Its a double blow. Loss of Sobotka sucks. But then add on that contract for Ott? Terrible deal for a terrible hockey player.
- Iggysbff

yes

I'll go ahead and try to translate what Sobotka said today to Czech newspaper Denik Sport:

„I didn't expect it, I have never wanted to leave the NHL, but I had no other choice. My priority was to be in the NHL, stay in St. Louis. I gave my word to the general manager, when he called me about me possibly leaving for the KHL while I was at World Championship. It seems like he took advantage of this and gave me an offer, that wasn't favorable to me. My goal was to sign 1 year deal for money I believed to be fair to both parties, considering what I have done for the Blues in the past. And there was no way he would accept that. We went back and forth negotiating, until we both run out of patience. Long term deal he offered me was nonsensical, that favored only St. Louis. That's why I decided to go to Russia, because Armstrong didn't want to trade me, move me to another organization. I'm glad I'm wanted here (in Omsk) and that I know I'll be playing (a lot). I wanted them to show me a little bit of respect. I may not score many points, but I'm putting my body on the line all the time and doing all the little things that matter with my best, 100% effort. Money is important, but it's never just about money for me.“

Well, nothing really new, just FWIW, this seems to be his side to the story…

He also told the reporter, that he plans to stay in Russia for just one year, play home at World Championship in Prague next year and then return to the NHL, preferably playing for different team than the Blues. Whole interview will be in the papers tomorrow.

300k difference....bizarre.
- Trust In Jarmo

Even more when you consider they signed Ott for 2.6 just moments later
It seems like they were arguing about pocket change.

Even if Sobotka set his mind to UFA next year, I'd still go for it. Trade him if you can get value or, what the hell, just keep him for the run and see what happens…

Even more when you consider they signed Ott for 2.6 just moments later
It seems like they were arguing about pocket change.

Even if Sobotka set his mind to UFA next year, I'd still go for it. Trade him if you can get value or, what the hell, just keep him for the run and see what happens…
- stonefire

100% agree with that.

I have no idea what Doug Armstrong was doing here.

I'll go ahead and try to translate what Sobotka said today to Czech newspaper Denik Sport:

„I didn't expect it, I have never wanted to leave the NHL, but I had no other choice. My priority was to be in the NHL, stay in St. Louis. I gave my word to the general manager, when he called me about me possibly leaving for the KHL while I was at World Championship. It seems like he took advantage of this and gave me an offer, that wasn't favorable to me. My goal was to sign 1 year deal for money I believed to be fair to both parties, considering what I have done for the Blues in the past. And there was no way he would accept that. We went back and forth negotiating, until we both run out of patience. Long term deal he offered me was nonsensical, that favored only St. Louis. That's why I decided to go to Russia, because Armstrong didn't want to trade me, move me to another organization. I'm glad I'm wanted here (in Omsk) and that I know I'll be playing (a lot). I wanted them to show me a little bit of respect. I may not score many points, but I'm putting my body on the line all the time and doing all the little things that matter with my best, 100% effort. Money is important, but it's never just about money for me.“

Well, nothing really new, just FWIW, this seems to be his side to the story…

He also told the reporter, that he plans to stay in Russia for just one year, play home at World Championship in Prague next year and then return to the NHL, preferably playing for different team than the Blues. Whole interview will be in the papers tomorrow.
- stonefire

Why did he sign a 3 year deal then??? He sounds like a bit of a cry baby in that interview. I'm sure if he would have stuck it out he could have got 3 million for one year.

Why did he sign a 3 year deal then??? He sounds like a bit of a cry baby in that interview. I'm sure if he would have stuck it out he could have got 3 million for one year.
- cuethenoise

He had an opt out clause after every year.

If he didn't want to leave the NHL, why did he over 300k? It goes both ways.

He wanted to cash in on UFA. If he really wanted to do that and stay in the NHL, I don't see what the problem it's with 2.7. Makes no sense to me.

If Armstrong caves in and gives up more with the threat of leaving for the KHL, he will have issues going forward in negotiations.

In the end, neither are bad guys. This is what happens sometimes when two parties have different values.

He had an opt out clause after every year.

If he didn't want to leave the NHL, why did he over 300k? It goes both ways.

He wanted to cash in on UFA. If he really wanted to do that and stay in the NHL, I don't see what the problem it's with 2.7. Makes no sense to me.

If Armstrong caves in and gives up more with the threat of leaving for the KHL, he will have issues going forward in negotiations.

In the end, neither are bad guys. This is what happens sometimes when two parties have different values.
- carcus

Agreed. I think this makes sense for the Blues and for Sobotka. However, if there is any merit to him actually saying he prefers to not play for the Blues when he returns the NHL, I think that is a bit of an overreaction.

If he wanted $3M for 2014-15 so he could be a UFA after the season, it seems pretty clear that he was looking for at least $3.5M-$4M on a longer term deal. First, there is no way that I sign a guy with his concussion history for any longer than 3 years. More importantly, though, his skill set isn't really worth more than $3M a year, if that. He had a career year last year putting up 0.54 PPG while playing a good chunk of the season between Schwartz and Tarasenko. He missed 21 games, which seems to be about par for the course with him, so you have to replace him in the lineup 20% of the time.

I don't care if you win 100% of your faceoffs, if you're playing Bottom 6 minutes and only putting up 20-30 points a year you should be racing to sign a deal for $3M a year for 3-5 years. He and his agent thought he was worth more, and now he is playing in the KHL. I think it is telling that Army took the high road about the stalemate but the player whined to the media about being disrespected and under-valued.

If he does come back next year, I hope the Blues trade him to a perennial bottom feeder so he has no chance to win. I loved his versatility and the ballsout way he played the game, but he was a role player that over-valued his services. A healthy Ott will replace most if not all of his grit and tenacity, add more toughness and leadership, and provide 90% of the possession edge that Sobi gave us. He'll be missed by the fans but the team will be just fine without him.

If he wanted $3M for 2014-15 so he could be a UFA after the season, it seems pretty clear that he was looking for at least $3.5M-$4M on a longer term deal. First, there is no way that I sign a guy with his concussion history for any longer than 3 years. More importantly, though, his skill set isn't really worth more than $3M a year, if that. He had a career year last year putting up 0.54 PPG while playing a good chunk of the season between Schwartz and Tarasenko. He missed 21 games, which seems to be about par for the course with him, so you have to replace him in the lineup 20% of the time.

I don't care if you win 100% of your faceoffs, if you're playing Bottom 6 minutes and only putting up 20-30 points a year you should be racing to sign a deal for $3M a year for 3-5 years. He and his agent thought he was worth more, and now he is playing in the KHL. I think it is telling that Army took the high road about the stalemate but the player whined to the media about being disrespected and under-valued.

If he does come back next year, I hope the Blues trade him to a perennial bottom feeder so he has no chance to win. I loved his versatility and the ballsout way he played the game, but he was a role player that over-valued his services. A healthy Ott will replace most if not all of his grit and tenacity, add more toughness and leadership, and provide 90% of the possession edge that Sobi gave us. He'll be missed by the fans but the team will be just fine without him.
- bluenatic411

Agree with all of this. The Blues will be fine without him. Good luck in Russia Sobi.

He had an opt out clause after every year.

If he didn't want to leave the NHL, why did he over 300k? It goes both ways.

He wanted to cash in on UFA. If he really wanted to do that and stay in the NHL, I don't see what the problem it's with 2.7. Makes no sense to me.

If Armstrong caves in and gives up more with the threat of leaving for the KHL, he will have issues going forward in negotiations.

In the end, neither are bad guys. This is what happens sometimes when two parties have different values.
- carcus

Yeah I agree for the most part, but the part where he said he wants to play in the NHL again, but not for the blues is where I take offense. He owes us 1 more year.

However, if there is any merit to him actually saying he prefers to not play for the Blues when he returns the NHL, I think that is a bit of an overreaction.
- Yeah Boyes

It's not Sobotka's quote (yet), more of a teaser what to expect in tomorrows paper. „His plan? (…) and go back to the NHL, where he would like to (go to) another team.“

Author of the article is Frantisek Suchan (@suchosfany), that's reliable source. However, Denik Sport is a tabloid, guilty of fishing for stories every now and then, so take it with a grain of salt.

I think it is telling that Army took the high road about the stalemate but the player whined to the media about being disrespected and under-valued.

- bluenatic411

See above + I tried to keep the tone, but something might get lost in the translation. I don't see him as a whiner at all, maybe it's just the disappointment (?). It's kind of a big story here and everyone's looking for reasons…

Yeah I agree for the most part, but the part where he said he wants to play in the NHL again, but not for the blues is where I take offense. He owes us 1 more year.
- cuethenoise

In my opinion, that statement alone speaks volumes of Armstrong's negotiation tactics.