In recent history, an expansion team usually ends up with a mediocre to a terrible inaugural season. Expansion teams rebuild from the ground up and build prospects to develop. But this Vegas Golden Knights squad has defied that logic in a big way.
When general manager George McPhee put this team together, he wanted a winning hockey club. And not only did he accomplish that, but he also picked some great players in the NHL Entry Draft in June. However, I don’t think anyone expected this type of success right out of the gate.
A lot of their success has to do with the every single player buying into Gerard Gallants “hard work” style of play.