Vladimir Sobotka will not rejoin the St. Louis Blues for the 2015-16 season.
The 27-year-old winger will remain with Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League, the Blues confirmed Monday.
Sobotka signed a three-year deal with Avangard prior to the 2014-15 season, while the Blues retained his NHL rights as a restricted free agent. Any future return to the NHL for Sobotka will require him to play one season with St. Louis at a salary of $2.7 million before he can become a free agent.
The Czech Republic native scored nine goals and 33 points in 61 games with the Blues in 2013-14. He totalled 10 goals and 38 points in 53 games with Avangard in 2014-15.
Sobotka had a two week window following the conclusion of the IIHF World Championship to make a decision on whether or not he would exercise an out-clause in his KHL deal. The Blues never received word from Sobotka regarding his plans, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
