With the 31st NHL franchise almost ready to start making moves, Vegas Golden Knights general manager George McPhee is happy to be in the mix as his fellow executives gear up for the most hectic part of their schedules.

While 30 other general managers sort out a plan for the trade deadline and impending expansion draft, McPhee, back in a front office, eagerly awaits the opportunity to start making deals, as financial logistics and paperwork for the Golden Knights are still in the process of being finalized.

"It's really been a lot of fun, as you can imagine," McPhee told Michael Russo of The Star Tribune. "Just being named the first GM of a franchise is really a treat, to have built it to the point we have. But now, to actually be talking hockey with other GMs has been a great deal of fun."

McPhee still needs to find a coach, but he's already mapped out the type of roster he wants to construct.

"I've built high-flying teams in the past, offensive, entertaining teams and would like to do the same thing," McPhee said.

After his 17-year stretch as architect of the Washington Capitals ended in 2014, a high-octane offense is something McPhee is familiar with, and has worked for him in the past.

If all Vegas' paperwork is sorted by March 1, McPhee can start making deals, while a team can start coming together at the expansion draft on June 20.

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