Blues sign F Sobotka to 3-year extension

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed forward Vladimir Sobotka to a three-year, $3.9 million extension. The 23-year-old Sobotka would have been a restricted free agent on July 1. He joins teammates Patrik Berglund, Roman Polak and Nikita Nikitin as players who signed before becoming restricted free agents. The club has also re-signed forwards T.J. Hensick and Chris Porter, who would have been unrestricted free agents. Sobotka, a native of Czech Republic, set career highs in points (29), goals (seven), assists (22) and games played (65) this season with the Blues, his first since being acquired from Boston. Sobotka will earn $1.2 million for the upcoming season, $1.3 million in 2012-13 and $1.4 million in 2013-14.