You know, many jokes have been made about Mark Stone going on LTIR. The Vegas Golden Knights Captain has heard them all, ranging from him intentionally cutting his spleen open to returning for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs. However, Golden Knights fans got an early Christmas gift just before Thanksgiving.
Mark Stone is on the ice for Golden Knights morning skate.
— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) November 26, 2025
Stone was an impactful player for the Golden Knights this season. He scored two goals and 11 assists (10 being primary) in six games, including a goal and seven assists on the power play. He'll already provide a major boost for a Vegas power play that's tied for eighth in the NHL (23.4%) entering Wednesday.
Not only that, but Stone's return provides a much-needed boost for an average offensive attack dealing with injuries (3.09 goals per game, 14th in the NHL). While other prominent names like William Karlsson remain out of commission, the Captain's return will give the middle of the lineup a powerful punch.
Why Mark Stone's return to the Vegas Golden Knights matters more than you think
As mentioned, you want your offensive leaders out on the ice at all times. Considering that the goals have fallen off a cliff for Vegas in recent weeks, they need whatever boosts they can get. That's where the Winnipeg native comes into play.
Before leaving the team with a wrist injury, Stone had a Corsi of 64% and a Fenwick of 70% (according to MoneyPuck). The Captain's always been known for being cerebral with his shot selection, looking for a ripe opportunity to strike. That returns to the forefront for the Golden Knights, adding another player with high hockey intelligence.
You're also keeping Braeden Bowman around, who plays a similar style. Two players who position themselves well within Bruce Cassidy's structure are a major boon, causing countless matchup problems for opposing teams. If there's one thing that Kelly McCrimmon loves, it's high-IQ players.
Finally, you're getting a solid two-way player back. As mentioned, you'd love to have William Karlsson back on the ice for his defensive capabilities. However, Stone's the next best thing, especially since he was on line rushes with Mitch Marner and Brett Howden on Wednesday. That could be the shutdown line that Vegas needs against skilled teams.
Golden Knights fans have searched for any good news to grace their feeds in recent weeks. It's been a rough watch with players like Stone and Karlsson being out. However, the latest news involving the Captain is as good as getting a juicy turkey leg on Thanksgiving with mashed potatoes and gravy.