Afternoon Hits: Blues, Kings, Panthers, Hawks, Sens and more
Marian Gaborik and Aaron Ekblad
On the St. Louis Blues …

Aivis Kalnins: The KHL and central registry confirmed that Vladimir Sobotka will return to Avangard Omsk.

Aivis Kalnins: Avangard released a statement saying that Sobotka is under contract with them and has no rights to play for the Blues.

Darren Pang: To buyout Sobotka’s KHL deal would be two-thirds of his $4 million. He would basically be playing for nothing if he played for the Blues.

On the Los Angeles Kings …

Helene Elliott: Kings GM Dean Lombardi said that Marian Gaborik will be out for eight weeks with a foot injury.

On the Florida Panthers …

Harvey Fialkov: Coach Gerard Gallant said that if the season were to begin in a couple days, he thinks that defenseman Aaron Ekblad would be ready to go.

Harviey Fialkov: Ekblad was practicing by himself yesterday after the team finished practicing.

On the Chicago Blackhawks …

Chris Kuc: The Blackhawks don’t expect Duncan Keith to play in any of their first four exhibition games.

On the Ottawa Senators …

Ian Mendes: There is no update on Senators winger Clarke MacArthur. Coach Guy Boucher said that Mark Stone was able to skate today.

Darren Dreger: Have been told that MacArthur is feeling better that most people expected. They will be cautious with him.

On the Detroit Red Wings …

Ansar Khan: Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said that both Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall are day-to-day.

On the Washington Capitals …

JJ Regan: Tom Wilson was held out of the third period of last night’s game as a precaution. He’s not on the ice today which isn’t a good sign.

On the Montreal Canadiens …

Stu Cowan: The Canadiens announced that 2016 first round draft pick Mikhail Sergachev has been dealing with an upper-body injury, but is now ready to go.

Brian Wilde: Was told that Sergachev had been skating all week, but hasn’t had any contact. Could be a shoulder injury.

On the Anaheim Ducks …

Curtis Zupke: Ducks Nicolas Kerdiles was being evaluated yesterday for concussion symptoms.