On the St. Louis Blues …
Jeremy Rutherford: Blues GM Doug Armstrong said that he spoke with Vladimir Sobotka‘s agent yesterday and that Sobotka will be joining the team for next year.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “Chat” with Blues Scouting director Bill Armstrong. When asked if situations like Jimmy Vesey wanting to test free agency has an impact on their drafting decisions.
“Yeah, absolutely. We interview all the college kids and ask them the question: “Will they turn pro when they’re pro ready or are they going to school for an education?’ Then we ask them when they finish their four years, will they sign with the Blues? Because we’re expecting some loyalty. We’re risking a pick to pick you, we expect some loyalty.”
On Vadim Shipachov …
Aivis Kalnins: With Pavel Datsyuk‘s signing official, it opens doors for Vadim Shipachov to potentially move to the NHL.
On the Buffalo Sabres …
John Vogl of Buffalo: The Sabres met with Jimmy Vesey’s camp on Thursday. They didn’t demand to know if he’d sign before August 15th, they just wanted to tell him what the organization is about.
“The meeting went very well, I’d have to say,” Vesey’s agent, Peter Fish, said Friday in an email to The Buffalo News. “However, until we sit down with Jimmy and fully digest everything we heard yesterday, I can’t really comment on how it might affect Aug. 15th.”
John Vogl of the Buffalo News: The Sabres could start next season without Evander Kane and Ryan O’Reilly.
Kane is expected to face noncriminal charges for an alleged physical altercation and O’Reilly his schedule to have his impaired driving and failure to remain at the scene trial next week.
Commissioner Gary Bettman has the option to fine, suspended or terminate the contract of players if he so chooses.
