Report: Vladimir Sobotka expected to opt out of KHL contract, return to Blues

The St. Louis Blues could be set to welcome back a familiar face.

Vladimir Sobotka is expected to exercise an option in his KHL contract that would allow him to return to the NHL, according to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.

His agent, Petr Svoboda, is working on his release from Omsk, while Blues general manager Doug Armstrong is said to be ready to open the door for the 28-year-old.

Sobotka left for the KHL in 2014 after eschewing a one-year, $2.725-million contract awarded to him in arbitration. Once he honors that deal with the Blues, he'll be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent.

In 97 KHL games over the past two seasons, Sobotka scored 28 goals and added 44 assists.

His return would help the Blues absorb the sting of the likely departures of David Backes and Troy Brouwer in free agency.