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.
The current mandate on free agency was designed to make it easier on teams in retaining assets. But in recent seasons we've seen that its negotiations with restricted free agents, players without options elsewhere, that have not just become the most difficult, but present the most critical decisions NHL GMs will make.
None are trickier than talks with defenseman, who typically require the seven-year window allotted before unrestricted free agency to realize NHL potential.
Here's a list of defensemen who must either work out a contract with their parent clubs this summer, or hope for the rare instance of a big-money offer sheet:
Hampus Lindholm, Anaheim Ducks
Though Lindholm contributed nine points at even strength last season, the 22-year-old is truly invaluable under that condition. He's a premier possession defender who's versatile in that he can both facilitate an attack and lock down defensively with his skating and puck skills. With the Ducks working on a self-imposed budget, Lindholm is nothing if not an obvious offer-sheet candidate.
Seth Jones, Columbus Blue Jackets
From shelter to franchise defenseman in a single transaction, Jones' learning program was accelerated last season, and in the process he proved he has the makings of a true No. 1 defender. Jones logged almost 25 minutes a night after being traded from Nashville to Columbus at the midway point of the year, and with Ryan Murphy, formed the makings of something novel to the Blue Jackets: A shutdown pair.
Tyson Barrie, Colorado Avalanche
Barrie is one of seven defensemen to reach 100 points over the last two seasons, and only Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns, Roman Josi, and P.K. Subban have tallied more at even strength. He's hardly dominant in a defensive sense, but it's on the Avalanche to surround that type of talent on the back end with capable help and an efficient strategy.
Jacob Trouba, Winnipeg Jets
With three years experience, Trouba, a big, strong-skating throwback defender with an offensive aspect to his game, has shown signs he will develop into a dominant player. Problem is, all accounts suggest he wants to be compensated as such now, and he's not there yet. He and the Jets just have not appeared to see eye-to-eye since he broke in, and they will have to agree on something for this partnership to continue.
Rasmus Ristolainen, Buffalo Sabres
After being exposed two years back, wearing the label as one of the league's worst statistical defenders as he took big minutes for a club with no intention on winning, Ristolainen took a massive step forward this season. Just four blue-liners logged more ice time league-wide, and with that, he provided more single-season points among Sabres defensemen this decade. Similar to Lindholm and Jones, it behooves Ristolainen's employer to maximize term on a deal this summer.
Matt Dumba, Minnesota Wild
He boasted solid possession and efficiency numbers, and, with a heavy shot on solid puck skills, Dumba has more offense in his game that he's shown. (He ranked 58th among defenders in even-strength scoring rate). The Wild's corps will remain in flux until the expansion draft - it'll be interesting to see how they handle the former No. 7 overall selection.
Cody Ceci, Ottawa Senators
Ottawa's negotiations with the 22-year-old Ceci are critical; this is a team with upwards of $57 million invested in three pieces on the back end over the next three seasons. A long-term contract at a reasonable price point might be the most club-friendly option, but if Ceci's development stalls, the Senators run the risk of being severely hamstrung by big-money investments on their blue line.
Torey Krug, Boston Bruins
Boston's lone puck mover on the back end, and really the only one they can lean on for a little offense, Krug, and his distinctive tool set, is of considerable importance to the club.
Danny DeKeyser, Detroit Red Wings
Dekeyser posted career-worst offensive numbers as well as advanced stats, but had arguably the best of his three seasons as a pro last year. He took on a greater defensive role and steadily improved as the season went on - isolated development critical to a unit that has depreciating assets.
Michael Stone, Arizona Coyotes
The Coyotes have a pair of fascinating restricted contract cases with Connor Murphy also in need of a new deal, but the emerging offensive talent in Stone adds a wrinkle exclusive to the fifth-year man. Stone has a booming shot and the fourth-most assists among those previously listed, but is still working toward being a consistently-sound defender.
Florida Panthers right-winger Jaromir Jagr was home in the Czech Republic recently when he noticed a paparazzo lurking outside.
Jagr approached the man, and, after a brief conversation, went back inside to make him a lunch consisting of a sandwich, a banana, and a Twix bar while broadcasting on Facebook Live. What a nice guy.
The offseason is barely underway, but Clarke MacArthur would love for it to be over.
After playing in only four games for the Ottawa Senators last season due to a concussion, the left winger is symptom-free and skating twice a week at home in Rochester, N.Y., writes the Ottawa Citizen's Bruce Garrioch.
"I usually don't skate until August but I just felt with the time off last year, it would be good to knock the rust off sooner than later and give myself a better chance," MacArthur told Garrioch.
MacArthur said he's feeling as good as he has in months. He would have suited up in the playoffs had the Senators made it - he'd been taking part in full-contact practice for three weeks late in the season - but with Ottawa out of the postseason picture, the decision to sit out the remainder of its games was a relatively easy one.
"From the last month of the season on, I've had no symptoms so that's got to be a good sign," he said. "I can't wait to get back."
MacArthur met with new head coach Guy Boucher over the weekend at the NHL draft in Buffalo and came away excited about the prospect of playing for him.
"It should all be positive," the 31-year-old said of Boucher's impact on the team.
MacArthur's signed through 2020 at a cap hit of $4.65 million. He's a three-time 20-goal scorer, and his 24 goals in 2013-14 - his first season with Ottawa - were a career high.
Unrestricted free agents Milan Lucic and Jason Demers are scheduled to be in Edmonton on Tuesday as the Oilers attempt to convince them to join the club on July 1, according to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.
Lucic and Demers are two of the bigger names available on the open market at their positions - left wing and defense, respectively.
This tactic was recently employed by the Arizona Coyotes after they acquired the rights to defenseman Alex Goligoski, who then signed a long-term deal after witnessing the merits of moving to the desert.
Whether they'll be similarly wooed by the NHL's most northern destination remains to be seen.
The NHL is a decade into the salary cap era, but with a ceiling of $73 million, there still exists the possibility of big spending for franchises willing to open up their wallets.
Here are three teams that should spend big in free agency when the signing period opens July 1.
With a 25-year playoff streak barely held intact this past season and a new arena set to open its doors for the 2017-18 season, general manager Ken Holland needs to ensure roster stability by filling Datsyuk's top-line center spot with high-end talent.
Steven Stamkos, of course, would fit that bill, and with almost $20 million in available cap space heading into free agency (and possibly more to come if Johan Franzen goes back to the long-term injured reserve), Holland should be able to put together an appealing contract.
Dylan Larkin could end up being the center to follow Steve Yzerman and Datsyuk in leading the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup, but the Red Wings should spend big to sign Stamkos and ensure a happy ending at Joe Louis Arena and a fresh start at Little Caesars Arena.
Buffalo Sabres
The market for Stamkos will be hot, and Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray has openly stated he's ready to chase the big fish in free agency.
While a superstar like Stamkos would certainly be a welcome addition, the Sabres are already quite deep down the middle, with Ryan O'Reilly, Jack Eichel, Tyler Ennis, and Zemgus Girgensons heading up the depth chart at center.
No longer in tear-down mode, this is a team well on the rise from the very depths of the league's basement, and the Sabres might be better served spending big on other needs, particularly on the blue line and on the wings.
Billionaire owner Terry Pegula is not averse to spending, and is committed to building a winner in Buffalo. A splash or two in free agency could put the Sabres within striking distance of a playoff spot as early as this season.
The Sabres also have nearly $20 million to work with, albeit with budding star and restricted free agent Rasmus Ristolainen still to re-sign, as well as Girgensons.
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders will be under new ownership in 2016-17, as Jonathan Ledecky and Scott Malkin assume majority control while longtime figurehead Charles Wang retains a minority stake.
Upon being introduced as new owners back in 2014, Ledecky and Malkin made it clear their intention was to bring a fifth Stanley Cup ring to Long Island.
Well, it's time to back that up.
The Islanders are coming off a second-round playoff loss at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning, as well as a debut season in Brooklyn that brought mixed reviews for Barclays Center as a viable home for NHL hockey.
General manager Garth Snow is looking to re-sign valuable two-way center Frans Nielsen to a new deal, but the club decided to let Kyle Okposo become an unrestricted free agent, leaving a big hole on the top line.
The Islanders have the luxury of having John Tavares locked in to a ridiculously team-friendly deal for the next two seasons, and while they'll want to ensure they can meet his asking price on what will likely be a big ask on his next deal, there exists an opportunity to sign a big-name free agent or two in the meantime.
Snow has more than $15 million to work with and has to sign restricted free agent Ryan Strome to a new deal, but ownership should try to make a splash in order to chase that fifth ring and entice fans to make the trek to Barclays deep into next spring.
The veteran and two-time Stanley Cup champion reportedly wants to return for a 20th season, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Cullen will be 40 in early November and Friedman adds that the Pittsburgh Penguins would love to retain his services but the salary cap may make that problematic.
Drafted way back in 1996, Cullen had 16 goals and 16 assists, and dressed in each of the Penguins' 82 regular-season games. He had four goals and two assists on the Penguins' march to the Cup.
Cullen made $800,000 in salary and against the cap last season.
The former All-Star defenseman has been hired by the Nashville Predators as their new assistant director of player development, the team announced Monday.
The 39-year-old retired in 2014 after playing in over 1,000 NHL games. Redden last suited up for the Boston Bruins, but spent the majority of his career with the Ottawa; and one of his former teammates is particularly excited to see him making the move to Tennessee.
Stuart's $3.6-million cap hit would remain on the books, but a buyout would save the team $1.2 million in cash. The 36-year-old was limited to just six games last season due to a back injury.
After trading Nick Holden at the draft, Sakic is hopeful the remaining ice time on the blue line can be filled by younger players like Nikita Zadorov, Chris Bigras, and Duncan Siemens instead of trying to find a replacement via free agency.
"What we're doing is allowing more ice time for these guys," Sakic said of his blue line. "We're going to get our young guys on the ice more because these are the guys that, in a few years, are going to be our (main) guys."
Andrew Shaw got the long-term deal he was hoping for.
The Montreal Canadiens have signed the 24-year-old forward to a six-year contract extension, the team announced Monday.
The contract is worth a reported $3.9 million per season through the 2021-22 campaign for a total of $23.4 million, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston. The deal does not include any no-trade or no-movement protection.
“We are very pleased to have agreed to a long-term deal with Andrew Shaw," said general manager Marc Bergevin. "As I mentioned last Friday following his acquisition, we are adding a solid character player to our team, a reliable player who plays with grit and a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks over the past five seasons.
"Andrew will add more leadership to our team. I had the opportunity to discuss with him over the past few days, and I sense his determination and excitement in joining the Canadiens' organization for many years to come."
Shaw was acquired by the Canadiens during the first round of the NHL draft Friday in a trade that sent a pair of second-round picks to the Blackhawks, whose salary cap situation made them unable to negotiate a long-term deal with the young winger.
A fifth-round pick in 2011, Shaw helped the Blackhawks win championships in 2013 and 2015. Last season, he posted a career-high 20 assists in 78 games.
He will add more grit to a Canadiens lineup that already features Brendan Gallagher, who is locked up through 2021 himself.
