What New York Islanders advisor George McPhee‘s departure means for the club he leaves behind.
New York Islanders advisor George McPhee will become the first general manager of the NHL’s expansion franchise in Las Vegas, sources have told ESPN.
McPhee beat out as many as seven candidates for the job. After a comprehensive undertaking that entailed owner Bill Foley and advisor Murray Craven evaluating every applicant, McPhee emerged as the victor.
Las Vegas will have a new GM tomorrow. Multiple sources is saying George McPhee is the number one candidate. Press conference at 1PM PT.
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) July 12, 2016
He owns extensive credentials, which include seventeen seasons as Washington Capitals general manager and one season as Garth Snow‘s chief advisor with the Isles.
At the helm of the Caps organization, McPhee claimed seven Southeast Division championships and one President’s Trophy. Despite this regular season success, the Caps rarely advanced deeply in the postseason, which is why he ended up getting canned in the spring of 2014.
McPhee was responsible for the drafting and development of players like Hart Trophy recipient Alex Ovechkin, Vezina Trophy winner Braden Holtby and speedster Evgeny Kuznetzov.
With New York, McPhee assisted in draft preparations and player development. The only significant move the organization made under his watch was the trade for Shane Prince, who was acquired at the deadline.
While the implications might seem bijou, they’re not: McPhee will have the inside scoop on the Isles’ roster, and with the looming expansion draft and free agency period, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to snag some ex-Islanders.
At the expansion draft, where the Las Vegas squad will be required to purge all 30 other teams of an unprotected player, McPhee will have the book on the Brooklyn-based franchise.
Maybe he’ll offer his former employers some remourse, but that’s unlikely. As many have said, “That’s the way the cookie crumbles.”
