The Blues have already lost forward Vladimir Sobotka to the KHL this off-season, and now forward prospect Sergey Andronov is headed back to Russia to play with CSKA.
Andronov, 25, has played the last two seasons in the American Hockey League while trying to make the NHL. His first season with the Peoria Rivermen was an up and down year. He was a player with very raw skills. He has offensive potential, but couldn't seem to find his offensive touch more consistently. He was brought up to the Blues after Peoria's season ended as one of the teams "Black Aces" to participate in practices.
In his second year with the Chicago Wolves, Andronov scored 13 goals, added 13 more assists, in 53 games played. He was a player who was relied upon in defensive roles and was able to contribute more offensively to the team. He was recalled during the injury riddled end of the season, but didn't dress for any games with the Blues.
Now Andronov is headed to the KHL once again. Report from Rsports.ru (Translated via Google Translate)
Hockey club CSKA trial concluded an agreement with striker Sergei Andronov , the agency "F-Sport", the press service of the army. Twenty-five Andronov in sezone-2013/2014 played for the club of the American Hockey League, "Chicago Wolves." In 53 matches, the striker scored 26 points (13 goals and 13 assists)."Sergey Andronov is on view in CSKA, with the player signed a trial contract", - the press-service.
Andronov played for CSKA Moscow from 2010 to 2012, 109 matches counts forward 20 points (12 +8).
Lets wish him the best of luck back home and thank him for giving his best effort to make a successful career in North America.
Meanwhile, fans continue to wait for word of a contract extension for forward Jaden Schwartz.
Schwartz, 22, is coming off an impressive season which saw him play in 80 games with the Blues, registering 25 goals and 31 assists. Quite the jump from his seven goals, six assists the season before.
Schwartz adds more than just his offensive game, as he's one of the better Blues defensive forwards and was first in the NHL with the best turnover ratio in the entire NHL.
His 25 goals was 43rd in the league, his 56 points was 60th best in the league. Statistically, Schwartz is easily one of the best two way forwards in the NHL. He'll get a pay raise, no doubt, but the question is how much and for how long?
Doug Armstrong is known for giving out bridge deals, and it's more than likely that Schwartz will also receive a bridge deal as well. It'll likely be anywhere between one to three years, and as a restricted free agent, the deal shouldn't likely break the three million barrier.
Armstrong isn't afraid to hold out to get the proper deal. We've seen it with T.J. Oshie, Patrik Berglund, Alex Pietrangelo and many others.
What kind of deal do YOU expect Jaden Schwartz to sign?