Reports: Las Vegas Franchise Taps Islanders' McPhee To Be First GM

LAS VEGAS (CBSNewYork) -- George McPhee, an executive with the New York Islanders, is expected to be named the general manager of the NHL's expansion team in Las Vegas, according to multiple reports.

A news conference is planned for Wednesday afternoon.

McPhee, 58, served as the GM of the Washington Capitals from 1997 to 2014. Washington reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998 and qualified for the playoffs in 10 of his 16 seasons.

He spent this past season as the special adviser to Islanders general manager Garth Snow.

Las Vegas was awarded the NHL's 31st franchise in June. The team, which begins competing in 2017-18, has not yet been named.

Other candidates for the Las Vegas job were reportedly Penguins associate GM Jason Botterill, Lightning assistant GM Julien BriseBois and Predators assistant GM Paul Fenton. The team also expressed interest in former Florida general manager Dale Tallon.

McPhee played parts of six seasons in the NHL for the Rangers and Devils.