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NHL Training Camp Buzz: Neal released from PTO by Blue Jackets

Welcome to the 2022-23 NHL training camp buzz. Training camp is underway for all 32 teams and NHL.com has you covered with all the latest news.

Columbus Blue Jackets

James Neal was released from his professional tryout contract (PTO) on Monday.

The 35-year-old forward has 559 points (296 goals, 263 assists) in 869 NHL games with the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, Vegas Golden Knights, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and St. Louis Blues. He signed a one-year contract with the Blues last season after attending training camp on a PTO and had four points (two goals, two assists) in 19 games.

Boone Jenner could make his preseason debut Thursday against the Blues, coach Brad Larsen said. The Columbus captain has practiced but not played a game as a precaution because of a sore back.

The Blue Jackets open the season at the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 12.

St. Louis Blues

Logan Brown did not practice Monday and is day to day with an upper-body injury.

The forward sustained the injury in a 5-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on Saturday in Independence, Missouri.

Brown leads the Blues with five points (four goals, one assist) in three preseason games.

“He should be fine,” coach Craig Berube said. “Day-to-day kind of thing. Hopefully it’s not too long and he can get in a game here again.”

Forward Vladimir Tarasenko also missed practice Monday because of an illness.

Zachary Bolduc, the no. 17 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, was assigned to the Quebec Ramparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League on Sunday.

The 19-year-old forward did not have a point in three preseason games.

“He’s a kid, he’s going to go back to junior, he’s not ready yet for this level,” Berube said. “He’s got to go down and play with more pace in his game. I think he has the ability to do a lot more with his feet than he does with the puck. He’s got to skate more, make more plays and not just be a shooter. He’s capable of doing more with his ability.

“Defensively, he’s got to improve. He’s got to be more responsible defensively, understand the responsibilities of playing good D and checking. In the games he played, I think he realizes how quick it is and we’re not even in the regular season. yet.” — Lou Korac

Anaheim Ducks

Trevor Zegras is day to day with an upper-body injury.

The center was briefly on the ice for the morning skate Sunday but did not play in a 2-1 preseason loss at the Los Angeles Kings.

He was injured in the second period of a 3-1 win against the Arizona Coyotes on Sept. 28 when he was hit by Coyotes forward Jan Jeník at center ice. He briefly remained on the ice before being helped to the locker room.

Jenik was not penalized for the play.

Zegras, 21, was second among NHL rookies with 61 points (23 goals, 38 assists) in 75 games last season.

The Ducks end the preseason with two more games against the Kings on Tuesday and Saturday. They open the regular season Oct. 12 against the Seattle Kraken at Honda Center. — Dan Arritt

Chicago Blackhawks

Boris Katchouk is out 4-6 weeks with a left ankle sprain.

The forward was injured during a 3-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. Katchouk had one goal in 21 games for the Blackhawks last season.

Forward Jujhar Khaira is day to day with a right ankle injury. He had three goals in 27 games for Chicago last season.

The Blackhawks play their regular-season opener Oct. 12 at the Colorado Avalanche.

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