Report: Nikita Soshnikov may head to KHL this off-season

As reported by The Fourth Period (via a Russian report from RIA Novosti), Blues forward Nikita Soshnikov may consider a return to Russia this post-season.

Soshnikov said he plans on taking his time before making any decisions about his playing future, which could certainly be playing in St. Louis, but he admitted “I have the opportunity to sign in Russia.”

“For me, money is not the main thing,” he told RIA, adding he wants “to develop as a hockey player, to have such an opportunity, to be at the heart of everything first.”

Soshnikov was acquired by the Blues on February 15th for a fourth-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, so a high price wasn’t paid. The forward played 12 games for the Blues after the deal, missing six games due to an injury sustained in late March. He didn’t return to action until the Blues’ April 7th game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Soshnikov had a goal and assist with the Blues and is scheduled to become a restricted free agent on July 1st. His agent, Dan Milstein, said that the Blues have an offer on the table for him but that Soshnikov is weighing multiple options - one of which is a return if increased playing time isn’t assured.