Roster construction is something managers fret over when putting the pieces in place. There has to be a mix of experience and age. And there must be openings for your younger players to grow. Stone says this club has a great mix.

"I think we have a really good group of guys who are in the prime of their career. We have older guys who are ready to win now and then you add that youthful enthusiasm that brings everything together," said Stone. "It is one of those things that you want to bring back the same team every single year, but you have to appreciate adding those younger players. I don't think people understand just how much they contribute, not just on the ice, but off the ice with their energy."

Stastny was a big-name free agent in the summer of 2018 and coveted by more than 10 teams. He selected Vegas as his destination and signed a three-year deal which will take him to age 35.

"When that time comes around, I think you narrow it down to a couple of teams and really look at everything. Sometimes I need an outside view. For me, I used my dad obviously a lot because he watches all the games while I only watch our games or playoff games. You don't really get to know a team as well unless you're watching every game," said Stastny. "I think when Vegas came calling around, we took a step back and put some serious thought into it. What we loved about the team was how good they were the year before because I was playing in Winnipeg when they knocked us out of the playoffs. Just the way they played, the way they rolled out four lines, the way they attacked and played a fast game. It wasn't just one or two guys that dominated the game. They didn't really rely on matchups. When you can play four lines that way and when you have six defensemen playing from 18 to 26 minutes, everyone feels part of the team. When all four lines are rolling like that you're clicking. Everyone says that they want to do that, but it starts from the top down. You have to have the right mix of players and I think that's the most important thing. George and Kelly found that perfect blend of different guys to play with each other."

Stastny also wanted to play for a management team which would constantly strive to make the team better.

"You realize how fortunate you are, with this being my 14th year in the league. When you're younger, you just want to go out, have fun and play the game. You tend to worry about your stats a little bit. As you get older and mature, you realize that all you want to do is win and be part of a team that doesn't care about anything but winning at all costs," said Stastny. "Everyone realizes that with every move made here, there is one goal in mind. Stats are kind of thrown out the window and we're doing whatever we can. I think a lot of teams were up against the cap last year because of what happened when the cap was projected to be higher, but then it dropped and put a lot of teams in a predicament. Yeah, you're going to be fighting against the cap for a year or two, but then you're going to be set for a couple years. That's what this team has kind of been.

A lot of top guys are signed long-term so they won't have to worry about those guys. Now it's just about managing those little pieces. Adding Nick Cousins, Chandler Stephenson and Nicolas Roy has been unreal. Different guys that can play up and down the roster. When guys are hurt, certain guys can play center or wing. When we're all healthy, it just makes us that much deeper. Every time you see a move being made, it gets you excited because you realize how hard it is to win. They don't sacrifice too much of the future, they might a little bit, but still trying to keep their first-rounders. Still building with the big picture in mind, but at the same time we want to win. That starts from ownership and that is why we feel so fortunate and so blessed with such a great opportunity here."

Last summer, as the Golden Knights cleared cap space by trading Erik Haula, Colin Miller and Nikita Gusev, there was a hue and cry about cap management. Stastny, however, sees what happened last summer as the key to making deadline additions of marquee players such as Alec Martinez and Robin Lehner.

"Martinez fit in seamlessly and then we added Lehner and all I could think about was that all it was going to do was help our team because it's going to give Flower more rest with that combination," said Stastny. "It just shows you how good and how mentally strong Lehner is when you watch him, he just seems so relaxed in net. It's been unbelievable for us. When you have two of the best goalies in the league like that, it's so much easier to just go out and play and know you can take some chances and make some mistakes. Your goalie is going to be there and have your back."

The current Golden Knights NHL roster contains three players signed in free agency, nine selected in the expansion draft and 11 acquired through trade.

McCrimmon took us through the transactions to explain How The Knights Were Built: