Vegas Golden Knights: 5 players to watch this season

1. James Neal

Without a doubt, James Neal was the Golden Knights biggest acquisition this offseason. He has the potential to not only serve as the first captain of the Golden Knights but lead the team and stand out as their star player.

Since entering the NHL in 2008-09, Neal has scored at least 20 goals per season. He has two 30-goal campaigns under his belt, as well as six 40-plus point seasons through his career. The 29-year-old was a franchise player with the Predators, and will certainly be a centerpiece that the Golden Knights build around for the coming years.

In 70 games this past season, Neal finished with 23 goals and 41 points. He also had 40 takeaways for just 30 giveaways, as well as 84 hits. He proved to play a solid game at both ends of the rink; he was a force on offence and a strong performer on the backcheck. Neal also recorded six goals, nine points and 49 hits through 22 postseason games en route to Nashville’s first Stanley Cup Final appearance.

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Neal is not only an effective skater but plays the game with incredible vision and skill. He takes tremendous care of the puck and creates scoring chances in any way that he can, and is a pure goal scorer. Defensively, the 6-foot-2, 221-pound forward is a physical presence who can maintain possession of the puck and log time on the penalty kill.

With his skill, ability to play a solid 200-foot game, goal-scoring and experience, Neal appears ready to take on the role as the Golden Knights’ main asset moving forward.