15-year NHL veteran released from PTO, re-enters the free agent pool

The Columbus Blue Jackets have released forward James Neal from his PTO, likely spelling the end of his NHL career, barring a late contract offer with another team. For most of his 15 year career, Neal was a consistent 20+ goal scorer, topping out at 41 in the 2011/12 season with Pittsburgh. Since then though, he has had up-and-down seasons.

Neal has seen his career decline rapidly over the last five years, and has cracked the 30 goal mark just once in the past decade. He hasn't scored more than 50 points in a season since the 2015-2016 season in Nashville and has since played for four teams.

At 35, Neal skated in just 19 NHL games with the St. Louis Blues last season registering 2 goals and 2 assists for a total of 4 points. In 869 NHL games split between seven teams, Neal has scored 296 goals and added 263 assists for 559 career points.

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