The St. Louis Blues have agreed upon a one-year contract for Ken Hitchcock to return as head coach.

''This is unfinished business for me,'' Hitchcock said. ''I don't want to coach to coach, I want to coach to win. I couldn't find a better spot.''

Both Hitchcock and general manager Doug Armey referred to the term ''detoxing'' since the Blues were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.