You know, when I talked about William Karlsson sticking around and not going to the Montreal Canadiens, I was met with a little pushback. Some people were talking about trading the Original Misfit to get Dylan Larkin in a package.
While that's not likely to happen since the Detroit Red Wings are keen on making life hard for interested teams, another name came up with Karlsson on 32 Thoughts. That would be none other than Mark Stone, whose deal will expire next season alongside Karlsson's. What exactly did Elliotte Friedman have to say about the two Vegas Golden Knights icons?
"To me, two of the more fascinating conversations are going to be around Mark Stone and William Karlsson; two very interesting contracts for Vegas; they keep who they want; Father Time is undefeated."Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts
After hearing this, I thought of those comments. I thought, "Oh my goodness, have people turned into a podcaster named Tony? What has gone on to suddenly turn the discourse into one of pure betrayal?"
Ironically, there's a good reason behind that. Both Stone and Karlsson are past the 30-year-old mark in their lives. They've also dealt with their fair share of injuries in recent years, leaving the Golden Knights to look for any replacement in offensive output. Those should be good enough reasons to move on from these players, right?
The Vegas Golden Knights should explore other avenues in keeping Mark Stone and William Karlsson on team-friendly deals
It's already been stated how important William Karlsson is to the Golden Knights' operations. He does well on special teams, can win face-offs in key moments, and can neutralize the league's biggest threats. If you're willing to keep the Misfit around for another season, it's best to give some a smaller deal.
But the same can also be said for Mark Stone. He averaged 1.22 points per game last season, making him one of the most important Golden Knights offensively. Stone adds another element to other facets, including the power play. Here, he's viable at setting himself up for scoring chances and creating scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Obviously, you'd want to have your leader on the ice as well. The Golden Knights have thrived with Stone in the lineup, carrying a lifetime record of 237-118-45. The Golden Knights respond when he steps on the ice and it shows with his sheer emotion.
Again, this isn't asking for a long-term deal similar to what Jonathan Marchessault wanted. If the term and money get out of hand, it's best to let the players walk. But Golden Knights fans love seeing both players around for reasons beyond their talents.
They've also carved out a place in the fans' hearts. They've become community staples and have embraced Las Vegas as a city. Marchessault's case was a tad different because his term was too much for McCrimmon to handle. But Stone and Karlsson would be wise to hold onto their bridges a little longer instead of burning them.
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