Josh Cooper

jcooper2@tennessean.com

Predators forward James Neal blasted down the wing, skated in on Carter Hutton and quickly zipped a wrist shot high to the goaltender's glove side for a goal.

Granted, it happened during informal, player-run drills, but it offered a glimpse into what Neal — a former 40-goal scorer acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins this summer — could be for his new team.

"I'm happy he's on our side now," Hutton joked.

In the scrimmage portion of the workouts on Friday, Neal scored at least three viewable goals, firing the patented shot past Hutton and minor leaguer Marek Mazanec. With Neal's shot it's mostly about pace and the speed of his release — things that have been well documented.

But it's also about deception, and changing angles on the blade before the shot is fired.

"A lot of guys give you more information. You can kind of read where pucks are going," Hutton said. "With him it's hard to pick up his stick blade and where it goes from there."

Neal, who posted 27 goals and 61 points in 59 games last season, was humble in his description of his shot and what makes it so effective.

"Goalies are so good, you have to change it up," he said. "You come in high and shoot it low. It depends on where you are on the ice and the goalie's tendencies. When you shoot on new guys, you try to get them early before they know your shot."

Neal, who came to Nashville two days ago to find a place to live and get settled, adds a scoring element that the Predators haven't seen much from the forward position.

The last Nashville forward to score 30 goals was Patric Hornqvist in 2009-10, but his scoring was not as aesthetically pleasing as Neal's shot. Hornqvist scored more by standing in front of the net and putting rebounds behind the goaltender.

The hope is that Neal easily pushes past 30 scores and challenges to hit 40 again, as he did with the Penguins in 2011-12.

"He's one of those shooters who is very patient," Hutton said. "He gives a lot of false information, and moves the puck in a lot of locations. He's one of those guys where you have to be patient."

Reach Josh Cooper at 615-726-8917 and on Twitter @joshuacooper.

PREDATORS TRAINING CAMP

When: First practice at 8:45 a.m., Sept. 19

Where: Centennial Sportsplex