Vegas is the new hockey kingdom and could be for a long, long time. Could this be the start of a New York Islanders-esque dynasty?

Can the Golden Knights become a hockey dynasty?

In the wake of their overwhelming 9-3 championship triumph last night at T-Mobile Arena, it was only natural for some Vegas' tub thumpers to wonder how many years of greatness are remaining in Bruce Cassidy's team.

The answer to that question first must begin with a comparison to the original expansion dynasty, the New York Islanders, 1980-84.

Under GM Bill Torrey and coach Al Arbour they accomplished what no other American team had done before nor since -- win three Stanley Cups in a row. Then they added a fourth for good measure.

"We didn't know how far the boys could go after the first Cup," said Bow Tie Bill, "but Al and I kept building to another."

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Immediately after the second Cup victory, right wing Bob Nystrom shouted across the Coliseum dressing room, "Why not a dynasty?"

It sounded good, and then Ny and friends made good on it by knocking off Vancouver in a 1982 sweep. Then they won a fourth by sweeping Edmonton a year later.

Talking "dynasty" always makes for good media fodder, so it was no surprise when the subject came up last night.

The Golden Knights owner Bill Foley wasted no time answering when a reporter asked if his club could repeat next season.

He smiled and shot back, "We're not done!"

The pieces for success all are in place. Certainly, Adin Hill's superior goaltending, a big, well-rounded defense, and four solid lines would seem to guarantee another express run in 2023-24.

Plus, the coach, Bruce Cassidy, fits the team like a mitten, and the high command of George McPhee and Kelly McCrimmon have proven their worth beyond a shadow of a doubt

But nobody is more important to the team than Foley, who six and a half years ago offered a blueprint for success:

"At the time," Foley explained, "I figured 'three years for the playoffs and six years for The Cup."

When Torrey took command of the Islanders, there were no projections for playoffs, and nobody dared dream about a Stanley Cup. The expansion draft offered scraps that were almost too embarrassing to consider.

By contrast, the Golden Knights were blessed with a bountiful expansion Draft that was too good to be true. As a result, it helped speed Vegas to the Cup Final in its first season.

"We not only didn't get much in our expansion draft," said Torrey, "but we had the World Hockey Association -- in its first year -- raiding us left and right."

The new Conn Smythe Trophy-winner, Jon Marchessault, was only one of many prizes fetched by then g.m. McPhee on June 21, 2017, when the brand new team on the desert was being planted.

Despite the WHA and other obstacles, the Islanders gained a playoff berth in their third season (1974-75) and continued their climb from there.

"Winning four Cups in a row was unprecedented for an American-based team," said Jim Devellano, who was Torrey's chief scout before moving on to become Detroit Red Wings general manager.

Even more unbelievable was Arbour's ability to guide his outfit to 19 consecutive playoff series victories. That remarkable string extended from the 1980 Cup win through three series victories in 1984.  

Guaranteed, it never will be equaled.

"By the time we reached the 1984 Final with Edmonton, our guys were pretty beat up with injuries," said Denis Potvin, captain of the dynastic sextet.

"Considering the attrition that a team faces over that space of time, it's amazing that we got as far as we did."

The Tampa Bay Lightning learned what attrition is all about. They won two Cups in a row but couldn't make it three. Injuries, motivation, luck -- good and bad -- all came into play.

Vegas' marvelous Cup-winning team will learn all about that starting next season.

Will the Golden Knights become a dynasty like the Isles?

Not a chance in the world!