"We entered the deadline wanting to improve the team and we accomplished that. We had a surplus of picks and we had a lot of cap space and we used those to our advantage in these deals," said McPhee. "We still have a surplus of picks and we still have cap space moving forward. In the next four drafts, we have 11 picks in the first two rounds."
Vegas also sent forward Brendan Leipsic to Vancouver in exchange for defenseman Philip Holm, who will report to the AHL.
McPhee is still in a surplus position of six picks over the next three drafts. The cap space he burned in brokering the Derick Brassard trade to Pittsburgh will be off his books at the end of next season.
Reaves arrives and changes the complexion of the Golden Knights fourth line. He gives the club beef and attitude. He's a coveted player - Pittsburgh spent a first round pick to acquire him last summer - who makes his teammates better.
Tatar likely slots in on the third line to begin but he's a top-six player. He can score and he's competitive. He'll raise the level of offense on the third line and provide insurance should injury or a slump affect the top six.
"He's a younger player, only 27. He's quick, competitive and he can score," said McPhee. "He scored 20 goals a season the past three years and he's on pace to do it again. We didn't want to trade draft picks for someone that's not going to be here after the summer. He has three years left on his contract and we're happy about that. Where he plays in the lineup is up to the coaching staff. We can play left and right side and he can play up and down the lineup. We just added another good player to our team and again he's a mature player but he's still young."
Chemistry has been a strength for Vegas all season and McPhee is confident the additions of Reaves and Tatar won't affect that balance.
"There will be no chemistry issues and in fact I think it enhances things in our locker room. We added a couple of people that are mature, quality people and proven players," he said. "We're delighted to be able to add these players because they do improve our club.
"You know when you talk to the player whether this is something that caught him off guard, something that they were hoping for or whether they were not happy about it or are really excited about it. You can tell by what they're saying and the way it comes through with their voice. Both of these players are really excited to be here and we're very excited to have them and excited that they're excited."
