"I've heard a lot of really good things," Blues Head Coach Mike Yeo said of Soshnikov. "I think it's going to end up being a good move for our organization... Hearing from some people in Toronto, they really liked him. Coaches liked him, and he's one of those guys that they had a lot of time for."
A native of Nizhny Tagil, Russia, Soshnikov went undrafted in the NHL but played two seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League before signing a three-year deal with the Maple Leafs in 2015.
In his last season with Moscow of the KHL, Soshnikov played in 57 games, recording 14 goals and 18 assists (32 points).
Currently on injured reserve after a conditioning stint with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, Soshnikov has been practicing with the Maple Leafs since Tuesday. He will report to St. Louis in 7-10 days after he has obtained a U.S. visa. He will be added to the active roster when he obtains his visa and is cleared to play by team doctors.