Getting the right players and coaches matter
A major part of why the Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup last season was due to a great core of players. They had a three-headed monster in Jonathan Marchessault, Mark Stone, and Jack Eichel that contributed much of Vegas's scoring. Add in a good coach in Bruce Cassidy and the team's set for success.
These players came from different avenues, including trades, the NHL Expansion Draft, and free agency signings. It doesn't matter if it was signing Alex Pietrangelo or trading for Stone. The Golden Knights have made a living from making tough decisions and nailing most of them. That's what makes Bill Foley better than most.
Look at the Edmonton Oilers right now. They're on the comeback trail in the Stanley Cup Final and have the Florida Panthers on the ropes. Why? It's because Kris Knoblauch came in on an interim basis and instilled a new psyche in the team. Now, they have Connor McDavid surging towards a Conn Smythe trophy and his first Stanley Cup.
The Arizona Coyotes have continually misused talent or failed to supplement them with superstars. Players like Max Domi and Anthony Duclair never got the chance to flourish with an All-Star leading the way. While Alex Meruelo tried to fix that with Clayton Keller and company, it was too little, too late for the franchise as they moved to Utah.