I think there's a pretty clear delineation between VGK under GMGM and Vegas under Kelly McCrimmon. GMGM made a bunch of crafty moves with foresight that were hated on at the time during their first season, but built them into an instant contender and helped jump start their prospect system (or at least as much as could be done with a single prospect draft). GMBM also brings Dave Prior with him, who revitalizes MAF's career. Then McCrimmon takes over around the end of their 2nd season, and the constant churn begins and he tries to get them over the hump. Most of their most puzzling trades have happened under McCrimmon, and McCrimmon fires Gallant, demotes and then lets Prior go, burns bridges with MAF (concurrent with the Prior firing), brings in DeBoer, and let's DeBoer ruin the relationship with their new starting goalie (Lehner).
Also let this serve as a periodic reminder that the Capitals should fire Scott Murray and hire Dave Prior.