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Top Vladimir Sobotka News

  • Vladimir Sobotka: Signs with Swiss club

    Sobotka (knee) agreed to terms on a short-term deal with NLA team SCRJ Lakers on Friday.

    Sobotka's deal is just a one-month, injury-replacement contract which will allow him to play for the team. The Czech native will still be eligible to sign with an NHL club now that free agency has opened up. The center missed most of the 2020-21 campaign due to a knee injury, so the market for him could certainly be limited. This deal will allow Sobtoka to show NHL teams he is fully fit.

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  • Sabres' Vladimir Sobotka: Set to hit free-agent market

    With the Sabres being one of seven NHL teams that won't be part of the playoffs, Sobotka (knee) has played his last game of 2019-20 and will soon become an unrestricted free agent, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.

    The bottom liner only played in 16 games this season, logging there points and a plus-2 rating before a knee injury ended his season in November. The Sabres like what he brings to the penalty kill and re-signing him probably wouldn't prove costly, though the team is heavy on utility-type guys and at some point will have to pick and choose between a few of them in an effort to pick up some scoring elsewhere. Sobotka's career high in points is 33, achieved back in 2013-14 with the Blues.

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  • Sabres' Vladimir Sobotka: Set to miss remainder of season

    Sobotka (knee) is expected to miss the rest of the 2019-20 campaign, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.

    Sobotka was previously ruled out indefinitely but this latest news sets a clearer timeline for the center's recovery. In 16 contests prior to getting hurt, the 32-year-old notched one goal, two assists and 23 shots while averaging 14:16 of ice time. With his contract expiring at the end of the year, it's possible Sobotka has played his last game as a member of the Sabres.

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  • Sabres' Vladimir Sobotka: Out indefinitely

    Sobotka (knee) underwent successful surgery Tuesday and will be out indefinitely.

    Sobotka has already been sidelined since Nov. 8, and there's no timetable for his return at this time. He had one goal and two assists in 16 games prior to getting injured.

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  • Sabres' Vladimir Sobotka: Lands on IR

    Sobotka (knee) has been placed on injured reserve, per the NHL's official media site.

    Sobotka will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks due to a knee injury, so this move was expected. The 32-year-old pivot's absence will test the Sabres' depth up front, but it won't impact any fantasy lineups, as he's only totaled 16 points in 85 games over the past two campaigns.

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  • Sabres' Vladimir Sobotka: Facing 4-6 week absence

    Sobotka will miss 4-6 weeks due to his lower-body injury.

    Sobotka was injured against the Lightning on Friday from a low hit from Nikita Kucherov and will now miss an extended chunk of time. Prior to getting hurt, the center was stuck in a five-game goal drought during which he registered just one assist and four shots. Conor Sheary figures to be promoted to a top-six role with Sobotka sidelined while Curtis Lazar was recalled from AHL Rochester.

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  • Sabres' Vladimir Sobotka: Will not return

    Sobotka suffered an apparent knee injury in Friday's matchup with the Lightning and will not return to the game.

    Sobotka was hit low by Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov and was unable to put a lot of weight on his leg coming off the ice. With a back-to-back versus the Lightning on tap, the Czech should be considered doubtful at best to suit up Saturday. If the winger does miss time, Conor Sheary will be a candidate for a second-line promotion and Evan Rodrigues will likely rejoin the lineup.

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  • Sabres' Vladimir Sobotka: Won't play Saturday

    Sobotka (knee) won't play Saturday against Tampa Bay, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.

    Sobotka was spotted wearing a walking boot following Friday's loss to the Lightning, so he could be in for an extended absence. The 32-year-old forward will undergo further evaluation once the Sabres return to the States on Monday, so more information regarding his status going forward should be made available then.

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  • Sabres' Vladimir Sobotka: Sticking on Skinner line

    Sobotka has received words of praise from new coach Ralph Krueger and will remain on Jeff Skinner's line until further notice. "Sobotka just doesn't get the credit he deserves here," said Krueger. "He's allowing (Marcus) Johansson and Skinner some freedom to take some risks here and there. He's an unbelievable physical presence on that line, and we're so pleased he was rewarded with something offensively today. I'm sure that will give him confidence for the future."

    Sobotka picked up his first point of the season while skating on that line during Monday's win over the Stars. While it's nice the veteran has secured a spot on Buffalo's No. 2 line, remember he's primarily a checker that almost never sees time on the power play. Sobotka has been in the league since 2007 and has only put up a 30-point season twice.

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  • Sabres' Vladimir Sobotka: Back in action

    Sobotka (upper body) will be in the lineup for Tuesday's preseason matchup with Columbus, WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

    Sobotka missed the final five games of the 2018-19 campaign due to an upper-body issue, but that injury was never expected to impact his availability for Buffalo's training camp. The 32-year-old had a highly disappointing first season with the Sabres last year, notching five goals and 13 points while posting a minus-20 rating in 69 games. He'll likely have to settle for a bottom-six role with no power-play time this campaign, so he can safely be ignored in all fantasy formats.

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  • Sabres' Vladimir Sobotka: Won't face buyout

    Sobotka's (upper body) contract won't be bought out according to general manager Jason Botterill, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

    Sobotka had a disappointing first season in Buffalo, as injuries limited him to just 69 appearances. When healthy, the 31-year-old failed to produce, as he tallied a meager five goals and eight helpers. Instead, the Sabres will hope the natural center can step up his game and earn the $3.5 million he is set to make this season.

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  • Sabres' Vladimir Sobotka: Season over

    Sobotka (upper body) isn't in Detroit for Saturday's regular-season finale against the Red Wings, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

    Sobotka's 2018-19 campaign mercifully comes to a close with the Czech pivot collecting five goals and eight assists to go with a minus-20 rating through 69 games. Formerly with the Blues, Sobotka didn't exactly pan out well in his new digs, and it'll be interesting to see whether his current team has any interest in packing him in a potential trade during the free-agency signing period. He'll be an unrestricted free agent after the 2019-20 campaign.

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  • Sabres' Vladimir Sobotka: Remains shelved

    Sobotka (upper body) will not be in the lineup versus Nashville on Tuesday, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.

    Sobotka struggled this season, as he managed just five goals and eight helpers in 69 games. The natural center even found himself relegated to a healthy scratch periodically due to his lack of offensive contributions. It wouldn't come as a shock to see the Sabres try to move the 31-year-old in the offseason given his $3.5 million cap hit. Perhaps a change in scenery can help him rediscover his scoring touch.

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  • Sabres' Vladimir Sobotka: Not in lineup

    Sobotka (upper body) will not appear in Sunday's tilt against Columbus.

    The veteran forward has just 13 points and a minus-20 rating across 69 games in what's been a horrible 2018-19 season following his acquisition from the Blues. Sobotka's fantasy value is virtually nonexistent down the stretch.

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  • Sabres' Vladimir Sobotka: Out with upper-body issue

    Sobotka reportedly tweaked an upper-body injury and won't be available against the Islanders on Saturday, according to Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News.

    The Sabres play again Sunday, so it shouldn't be long before Sobotka gets checked out further. Consider him day-to-day for now.

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  • Sabres' Vladimir Sobotka: Collects assist in loss

    Sobotka registered an assist in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Maple Leafs.

    It was Sobotka's second game back after being a healthy scratch, so finding the scoresheet will bode well for him keeping his spot in the lineup. The helper is just his eighth of the season, though, and gives him 13 points on the year. His value is limited to deeper leagues.

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  • Sabres' Vladimir Sobotka: Scores in return, but team loses

    Sobotka scored his fifth goal of the season in Thursday's 5-4 shootout loss to Chicago.

    Sobotka missed Buffalo's previous three contests with an upper-body injury, but the 31-year-old wasted little time making an impact in his return, scoring the first of three second-period goals put home by the Sabres. Unfortunately, the road team would succumb in a shootout. The fourth-line center has posted 12 points in 61 games this season.

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  • Sabres' Vladimir Sobotka: Ready to play

    Sobotka (upper body) will be active for Thursday's game against the Blackhawks, per Sabres coach Phil Housley.

    Sobotka will get back in the swing of things after a three-game injury layoff, though his upside is capped as a bottom-six contributor for a team with its odds of making the playoffs reduced to a fractional value. The Czech center has compiled four goals and seven assists to go with a minus-14 rating through 60 games this season; perhaps not a satisfactory level of production for a guy making $3.5 million AAV on a three-year deal.

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  • Sabres' Vladimir Sobotka: Progressing towards a return

    Sobotka (upper body) looked good in practice, but a decision on his return won't be made until Thursday.

    Sobotka has missed the past three contests with an upper body injury. He had just a single point in his prior 15 games, and has only 11 points in 60 games on the campaign. His absence will only affect the deepest of leagues.

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  • Sabres' Vladimir Sobotka: Slated to miss Monday's matchup

    Sobotka (upper body) didn't participate in line rushes at Monday's game-day skate and is expected to miss the clash with Edmonton, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

    Sobotka will miss his third game due to his upper-body issue. The center has managed just one point in his previous 15 outings, while averaging 12:56 of ice time. Last season with the Blues, the Czech notched 31 points, but will likely struggle to put up 20 this season due to several extended slumps.

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Player Bio

HT/WT: 5-11, 189 lbs
Birthplace: Trebic, Czechoslovakia
Age: 37
Experience: 10
Shoots: Left