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Tales From the Island of Misfit Toys: Remembering the Golden Knights’ Inaugural Season with James Neal

James Neal reflects on the 2017-18 Vegas Golden Knights roster, which he initially dubbed the "Golden Misfits" because the squad was assembled from players discarded by other NHL franchises. With the notable exception of Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith, who had previously played together in Florida, the group consisted largely of strangers who found a fresh start in a city without a prior major professional sports history.

Despite analyst predictions that the team would finish as a lottery candidate, Neal approached the season with an open mind, viewing it as a contract year where older players might be traded. He returned to the lineup for the opening game after recovering from hand surgery sustained during a Stanley Cup Final loss, a return he credits with setting a positive tone for the franchise's debut campaign.

Neal scored the first goal in Golden Knights history during that initial matchup in Dallas, a milestone he remains proud of and frequently discusses with fans.

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