Neal turns PTO with Blues into 1-year, $750K contract

James Neal made a strong impression during his professional tryout with the St. Louis Blues, as he and the club agreed to a one-year deal worth $750,000 on Saturday.

The 34-year-old winger potted a team-high four goals in as many games with the Blues during the preseason. He scored five goals in 29 games with the Edmonton Oilers last season.

Neal scored 21 goals or more in each of his first 10 NHL seasons - notching a career high of 40 in 2011-12 - but he's declined steeply in recent years. The Oilers bought out the final two seasons of his previous contract in July.