Whenever Vladimir Sobotka decides to return to the NHL, he owes the St. Louis Blues at least one year of service. That was the result of the qualifying offer sent his way last summer and the arbitration hearing that awarded the forward a one-year, $2.725 million contract. The only problem? The restricted free agent has two years left on a deal with Omsk of the KHL.



Sobotka’s tax-free $4.5 million per year deal with Omsk is certainly better than the taxed $2.725 million he’s owed by the Blues if he ever returns. If he chooses to stay in the KHL another season, Armstrong will have to wait until next May for Sobotka’s annual out-clause to be an option.

Ken Hitchcock has been retained for at least one more year in St. Louis. Look for St. Louis to make some changes from the status quo.One player situation that is definitely worth tracking the next week is that of KHL center and former Blue Vladimir Sobotka.If Sobotka returns to St. Louis for the 2015-16 season it increases the possibility of a player like Patrik Berglund becoming available. Berglund has fallen out of favor with St. Louis after signing a three-year $11.1 million dollar contract which has an AAV of 3.7 million. There are two years remaining on the deal.Berglund is a former 2006 first round pick (25th overall), 26 years old and 6’4” 215 pounds.Berglund is a definite candidate to improve Pittsburgh’s third line center situation.Great shot suppression with competent ability to generate offense given the role he would be expected to play.2011-15 5v5 points per 60Berlund 1.53Sutter 1.13Ken Hitchcock and the Blues may want more out of Berglund but he has outperformed the role they have given him the past two years whether they realize it or not.You could argue that Brandon Sutter had one of his better seasons as a player in the NHL during 2014-15. Some say Berglund underperformed. Berglund still crushed SutterOne could argue that it is tougher for Sutter to have a good relative Corsi when he is on a team with Crosby and Malkin but Pittsburgh and St. Louis were equals as great possession teams last year. Pittsburgh was third ranked in Score-Adjusted Fenwick at 53.8% and St. Louis was fourth at 53.6%. Very promising to see Berglund with such a high relative Corsi on a great possession team.Teams move on from good players all the time. St. Louis recently did just that when they traded Ian Cole for Robert Bortuzzo at the deadline. Could Pittsburgh benefit from another trade with St. Louis? They should definitely be trying. Patrik Berglund is one of the more realistic ways to upgrade from Brandon Sutter and be a better team moving forward.Thanks for reading!Follow me on twitter Follow @GunnerStaal