McPhee and his staff have been meticulously preparing for the big day through monthly mock drafts.

“The mock drafts are valuable in terms of us having some reps in terms of the process,” the assistant general manager Kelly McCrimmon said. “They encourage and then facilitate a real healthy discussion on players.”

Those mock drafts have gotten a greater degree of clarity as McPhee has engaged the league’s other general managers. Although the Golden Knights have limited assets with which to leverage trades, McPhee has stayed active. By agreeing to select or pass on certain players in the expansion draft, Vegas could receive assets from teams. Although no such transactions have been completed, negotiations have made McPhee privy to the expansion draft plans of up to a dozen teams.

In previous expansions — most recently the addition of the Minnesota Wild and the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2000 — teams relied almost entirely on players selected in the expansion draft. In some cases, a top pick in the entry draft made the inaugural roster.

But the Golden Knights’ plan deviates from that. Vegas owns the sixth pick in the entry draft on June 23 and 24, but McPhee says he does not expect to rush teenage players into the lineup.

“I wouldn’t imagine they’d be ready for opening night,” said McPhee, attending the scouting combine for draft prospects this week in Buffalo. “It’s better to take your time developing players.”

And the signing of Shipachyov is the clearest indication yet that Vegas also plans to add skill through free agency. Shipachyov, 30, finished third in the Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League last season with 76 points. He also collected 13 points in 10 games at the world championship last month, ranking sixth as Russia finished third.

“Bill Foley will spend whatever we’re allowed to spend to put a good team on the ice,” McPhee said, referring to the team owner. “He wants to win, and he paid half a billion for the franchise and has built a $30 million practice facility. So being able to spend to the cap is not an issue.”