The Blues’ off-season is usually, in most years, drama free. Sign a few mid-tier free agents, have at least one surprise training camp performance, have a star player get hurt in practice, so on and so forth.
This off season the Blues have been mired in some actual drama over a position that shouldn’t be dramatic: a third line player.
A couple of years ago, you may remember, Vladimir Sobotka didn’t like the outcome of his arbitration hearing. He left to go play for his hometown Avangard Omsk of the KHL for slightly more money. The KHL contract allowed him an out clause to return to the Blues.