Perhaps the most striking example was center William Karlsson, 25, who had 18 goals in 183 games with Columbus and Anaheim before this season, but scored 43 goals in 82 games for the Golden Knights.

The door opened for Karlsson when Vadim Shipachyov, the Knights’ first marquee signing, did not make the team out of training camp and returned to Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League.

“Not having that player make the team may have been our best move all year because it sent the message to everyone that nothing matters other than the way you compete and perform,” McPhee said.

Karlsson, formerly a checking center who last scored 20 goals in junior hockey, said he made no drastic changes to his routine or his body. He also said that he was not exactly a film buff when it comes to video scouting.

“Hockey is a game of instincts, and that’s how I play my best,” Karlsson said.

He has embraced his newfound role, which has attracted other teams’ top defensive pairings.

“I want to be that guy that leads the team; I put that pressure on myself,” he said.

The Florida Panthers furnished the Knights with Karlsson’s linemates, Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith, receiving only a fourth-round draft pick in return. Marchessault and Smith combined for 135 points in 144 games playing for their former Florida coach, Gerard Gallant, who was fired by the Panthers early last season.