Blues and James Neal Come to Terms on One-Year Deal

The St Louis Blues are keeping James Neal in their mix. The Blues who invited Neal to training camp on a professional tryout have now signed the veteran forward to a one-year deal worth $750,000.

Neal has impressed so far in the preseason, coming out with a hat-trick to open the exhibition season. The Blues were trying to find someone to replace Mike Hoffman's minutes from last season and may have the perfect replacement at a much lower cost.

Neal's four goals in five preseason games should help him get off to a good start for the Blues and some power play time shouldn't hurt either. At 34, Neal is in the back nine of his career so it's nice to see him catch on for the 2021-22 season. After being bought out by the Edmonton Oilers with two years left on his deal there was some uncertainty, which now has subsided.

The Whitby, Ontario native has appeared in 850 career NHL games, recording 294 goals and 555 total points. Here's to hoping Neal gets a chance at 1000.