LAS VEGAS --Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith didn't know what to expect six years ago when the forwards went from the Florida Panthers to the Vegas Golden Knights in the expansion process.
Now here they are in the Stanley Cup Final for the second time with Vegas, playing Florida, of all teams, in Game 1 at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; TNT, TBS, truTV, CBC, SN, TVAS).
"It's water under the bridge," Marchessault said. "Yeah, I was disappointed at the time, but it's six years ago now, so it doesn't bother me anymore."
The Golden Knights have had tremendous success since joining the NHL in 2017-18. They rank fifth in wins (267) and points (575) in the regular season, and second in wins (50) to the Tampa Bay Lightning (61) in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Marchessault and Smith have been a huge part of it.
In the regular season, Marchessault is Vegas' all-time leader in goals (150), assists (198) and points (348). Smith is second in goals (124), fourth in assists (162) and third in points (286).
In the playoffs, they are tied for the lead in points (63). Marchessault is first in goals (30). Smith is first in assists (47).
"Obviously, it turned out great," Smith said, "and I wouldn't have changed it for anything in the world."
The foundation of Vegas' success came in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft.
The rules were more favorable than for expansion teams in the past. Teams essentially could protect eight skaters and a goalie or seven forwards, three defensemen and a goalie.
The Golden Knights acquired extra players and assets by making trades with teams who wanted to protect more players.
Two of their biggest coups were Marchessault and Smith.
Undrafted and undersized at 5-foot-9, 183 pounds, Marchessault fought his way to the NHL. He played two games for the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2012-13, two for the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2014-15 and 45 for the Lightning in 2015-16.
Then he signed a two-year, $1.5 million contract ($750,000 average annual value) with the Panthers on July 1, 2016, and exploded for 51 points (30 goals, 21 assists) in 75 games in 2016-17. He was going to get a big raise in his next contract.
Smith had been selected by the Dallas Stars in the third round (No. 69) in the 2009 NHL Draft, and he had bounced from the Stars to the Boston Bruins to the Panthers.
After he had 50 points (25 goals, 25 assists) in 82 games in 2015-16, Smith signed a five-year, $25 million contract ($5 million AAV) with Florida on July 3, 2016. He had 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists) in 80 games in 2016-17.
The Panthers protected eight skaters and a goalie in the expansion draft, including defensemen Aaron Ekblad, Alexander Petrovic, Mark Pysyk and Keith Yandle, and left Marchessault and Smith exposed.
Vegas selected Marchessault in the expansion draft and acquired Smith for a fourth-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.
"I was surprised at the decision, but that's the way she goes sometimes," Marchessault said. "Keeps you honest."
Marchessault and Smith were able to lean on each other when they arrived in Vegas, and they joined a group that quickly bonded after a mass shooting on The Strip on Oct. 1, 2017.
The Golden Knights shocked the hockey world by winning the Pacific Division and advancing to the Stanley Cup Final, losing to the Washington Capitals in five games.
Marchessault had 75 points (27 goals, 48 points) in 77 games in the regular season, second on Vegas to William Karlsson (78). Smith had 60 points (22 goals, 38 points) in 67 games, fourth on Vegas.
Smith led the Golden Knights with 22 points (five goals, 17 assists) in 20 games in the playoffs. Marchessault was right behind with 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in 20 games, and he led Vegas in goals.
"It was nice being able to have Jon along with me, because we were able to kind of go through it all together," Smith said. "I know an important thing for me at that point was coming here early and making sure I was familiar with everything way in advance from when the season started.
"But, yeah, I just came in with open eyes, and it seemed like everyone in our group did the exact same thing, and everyone wanted to win, and everyone wanted to do it together."
Dale Tallon, the Panthers general manager during the expansion process, second-guessed himself afterward.
"Maybe in hindsight I probably would have left one defenseman unprotected," he told NHL.com later. "Who knows? You never know at the time."
Ekblad is the only one of those four defensemen still playing for Florida.
Meanwhile, Marchessault and Smith have found homes in Vegas.
Marchessault signed a six-year, $30 million contract ($5 million AAV) on Jan. 3, 2018; Smith signed a three-year, $15 million contract ($5 million AAV) on July 13, 2022. Marchessault and his wife have added two children, giving them four. Smith has gotten married, and he has his wife have had a child.
Neither has anything bad to say about Florida, just good things about Vegas and chance to win the Cup.
"You work hard to find stability in your family, right?" Marchessault said. "That's anyone that has kids, I think. … I've built a lot here, and it would be mean a lot for me to win it for the city."
Same for Smith.
"My life has changed a lot over the last six years," Smith said. "It's been a great change for me. Hopefully, I can play the rest of my career here in Las Vegas. That would be a great goal for me."
NHL.com senior writer Dan Rosen contributed to this report
