Bill Foley emerged from his Montana ranch with a decision and some comfort — the hiring of Las Vegas’ first NHL general manager would not be a gamble.
On Wednesday, George McPhee, the former 16-season GM for the Washington Capitals, was unveiled as the front-office boss of the Vegas team set to join the Western Conference’s Pacific Division when the league expands to 31 teams for the 2017-18 season.
Foley, the franchise’s majority owner and public face, tapped McPhee over other worthy hockey people — including Pittsburgh Penguins assistant GM Jason Botterill and ex-Arizona Coyotes GM Don Maloney — after conducting interviews with seven candidates at his Midwest ranch in recent weeks.