Blues hope to have Sobotka this season; Steen rehab progressing
Asked again Thursday to discuss the potential availability of forward Vladimir Sobotka for the St. Louis Blues this season, General Manager Doug Armstrong didn’t seem overly concerned.
Armstrong also offered mostly positive reviews on forward Alexander Steen’s rehab and return from shoulder surgery in June.
Sobotka, who will play for the Czech Republic in the upcoming World Cup of Hockey tournament, has played in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) the last two seasons. The Blues retain his NHL rights and expect him to play for them this season despite rumors to the contrary coming from Russia.
Armstrong remains in contact with the 29-year-old Sobotka’s agent, Petr Svoboda.
“I’ve talked to Petr Svoboda I would say daily over the last few weeks and every other day the weeks prior to that, and nothing has changed,” Armstrong said. “I talked to him again (Thursday), (Sobotka) is getting ready for the World Cup. He’s planning on staying here when that’s over and coming back to our franchise. He’s excited about it.”
Sobotka had 28 goals and 72 points in 97 games with the KHL’s Omsk Avangard over the last two seasons.
Armstrong understands the angst of Blues fans wondering if the gritty two-way forward will be back in St. Louis this season.
It’s one of those ones where I understand everyone’s nervousness because he’s not here. But he’s not going to be here until after the World Cup, so I think the questions are going to persist until he gets off the plane at Lambert and comes into the Mills or to Scottrade — and when he does that, this will finally be behind us.
Blues GM Doug Armstrong on Vladimir Sobotka
“It’s one of those ones where I understand everyone’s nervousness because he’s not here,” Armstrong said. “But he’s not going to be here until after the World Cup, so I think the questions are going to persist until he gets off the plane at Lambert and comes into the Mills or to Scottrade — and when he does that, this will finally be behind us.”
Armstrong, the GM for Team Canada at the World Cup of Hockey, plans to speak with Sobotka at the tourney, which runs from Sept. 17-Oct. 1.
“Yeah, we’ll certainly meet there,” Armstrong said. “I’ve talked to him on the telephone over the summer. His focus right now is obviously preparing (for the World Cup). Ironically that’s the first team that Canada plays that (Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo) plays against and I’ll be working for Canada, so we’ll get an up close look at him very early. But I’ll certainly try and bump into him there like I will all of our players.”
Armstrong said Steen will not be able to play for Sweden at the World Cup of Hockey, but is on track to be in the lineup for the Blues’ Oct. 12 season opener.
“He had pushed very hard to be able to participate in the World Cup,” Armstrong said. “It was a four- to six-month injury, going to be re-evaluated in four, which is October 3rd. He worked very hard, it’s just not going to happen.
“But he looks like he’s in great shape. He’s ahead of schedule and we’re hoping that he’s ready for Game 1 and if not Game 1, very early in the season, but all things are very positive.”
Armstrong said Steen will be watched closely during training camp, which begins Sept. 24.
“We’re still quite a ways from camp, but I would think he’ll jump right into the flow drills” Armstrong said. “That’s the idea now. But we’re not going to be penny-wise, pound-foolish. Whether he participates in battle drills in early September or mid-September, I’m not that concerned about.”
Norm Sanders: 618-239-2454, @NormSanders
This story was originally published August 26, 2016 at 10:12 AM with the headline "Blues hope to have Sobotka this season; Steen rehab progressing."