5 takeaways from McPhee's talk with Vegas season-seat holders

With every passing day, the Las Vegas Golden Knights inch closer to playing their first NHL game.

With his team set to take the ice next season, and the expansion draft on the horizon, general manager George McPhee held court with season-ticket holders Monday, writes the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Steve Carp, and talked shop on a number of fronts.

Here are five takeaways:

Money is no object

"Money's not a problem," McPhee said.

The club's doing its due diligence with respect to scouting and free agency, and will spend what it needs to spend in order to ice a competitive hockey team.

"Our owner, Bill Foley, is not afraid to spend to get the right player, and it's our job to identify who those players are."

Seeking an innovative bench boss

Vegas plans to hire its head coach after the regular season, McPhee said. The last day of the schedule is Sunday, April 9, with the playoffs beginning Wednesday, April 12.

"We want someone who is very current with the game, someone progressive on how the game should be played."

Jerseys coming soon

McPhee said the Golden Knights expect to unveil their jerseys in June, and that they'll be available for purchase ahead of the expansion draft.

Data-driven approach

Count the Golden Knights as believers in analytics. McPhee said the club will use every tool at its disposal to put the best team on the ice, including advanced stats, in the hopes of striking the perfect team-building balance.

Affiliate update

While it hasn't been confirmed, it's expected the AHL's Chicago Wolves will serve as Vegas' affiliate beginning next season. An announcement is expected next month.

"We're in a good place with our (AHL) club," he said.