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Vegas Golden Knights First Half Report Cards: Forwards

ByRichard Cardinale|
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 17: (L-R) Jonathan Marchessault #81 and Reilly Smith #19 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrate after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the game at T-Mobile Arena on December 17, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 17: (L-R) Jonathan Marchessault #81 and Reilly Smith #19 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrate after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the game at T-Mobile Arena on December 17, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)
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James Neal

LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 07: James Neal #18 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring against the New York Rangers in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on January 7, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 07: James Neal #18 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring against the New York Rangers in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on January 7, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

When the expansion draft was all set and done, and the Knights acquired James Neal, people didn’t know how well he would do as the star of a team. Tha answer to that question is just fine. Neal has been an excellent fit for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Neal was putting up superstar numbers in the first few games of the season, and he carried them to more than a couple of wins. When the team was still trying to find their identity, Neal was there to back the team up and bail them out. However, he has cooled off as of late.

The Whitby, Ontario native notched 18 goals, 11 assists and 29 points in 41 games played this year.  And thanks to the fan vote, Neal will join Marc-Andre Fleury in the NHL All-Star Game in Tampa Bay. After seeing his production at the age of 30, I think the Knights should keep him around for awhile.

Neal has been terrific in the first half this season but in spurts. A strong start to the year, went cold for a little while, then caught fire again and now he’s in a cold stretch. All in all, he deserves a high grade for going beyond expectations.

Grade: B+

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