Watch this scene for a second.
Remember this scene from Dead Poets Society? It inspired a slew of young men to pursue their wildest dreams and go far in life. Robin Williams highlighted the powerful effects of literature and writing, immersing the reader into a world of imagination.
This was also arguably one of Williams's best performances as an actor. His zest and passion for the role built that inspiration, leading to a pursuit of growth and knowledge for many.
"Oh Captain, my Captain!"
Those four words have been uttered by Vegas Golden Knights fans throughout Mark Stone's seven-year tenure. The Winnipeg native has 108 goals and 215 assists during his Las Vegas residency, making him one of the most important figures in franchise history. But there's the controversial side to his legacy.
No, Stone wasn't caught at a Coldplay concert with a wooden corpse. However, he has been the proverbial butt of endless LTIR jokes. That includes jokes about his lacerated spleen and various back surgeries, alleging that Kelly McCrimmon and the Golden Knights are up to no good.
Now, it seems those days are numbered for the 33-year-old. The Captain is an unrestricted free agent after the 2026-27 season, leaving behind big skates in the organization. So, let's look at the legendary Golden Knights star and see what awaits him in the 2025-26 season, shall we?
"Oh Captain, my Captain."
What fans can expect from Mark Stone with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2025-26
One cautionary tale Golden Knights fans should use in 2025-26 is Alex Pietrangelo. The two-time Stanley Cup-winning defenseman saw his game decline after turning 33 years old. That included his offensive stats, where he was relegated to scoring four goals last season.
Season | Goals | Assists | Shots | Blocked Shots | Hits | Takeaways |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022-23 | 11 | 43 | 170 | 177 | 65 | 56 |
2023-24 | 4 | 29 | 141 | 160 | 46 | 50 |
2024-25 | 4 | 29 | 123 | 139 | 41 | 25 |
Considering Stone's brutal history of injuries, it should be expected that he'll go through something similar. He's already lost speed in terms of skating and slowed down as the 2024-25 season went on.
This alone is why he shouldn't be considered for a top-line return. When building your lines, you want your best players in all aspects to lead the way. That includes keeping up with the NHL's fast pace and creating plays in transition. For the Captain, he's best left in the middle of the lineup.
He should also see a decrease in overall scoring. Stone had a career-high in assists with 48, with 20 coming on the power play (also a career-high). Fans can expect those numbers to lower once the upcoming season concludes, specifically in the assist category.
That doesn't mean that Stone won't contribute much to the Golden Knights this season
The Captain is still a valuable Golden Knights player. As mentioned, he set career-highs in both assists and power play assists last season. Stone has proven he can perform at a high clip if given the right pieces.
Of course, that'll likely mean playing with different people on his line, whether that's Tomas Hertl, Pavel Dorofeyev, or Reilly Smith. Still, the 33-year-old has proven valuable in setting up plays and finding openings, making him a preferred offensive piece for Vegas. He'll do fine if he stays healthy and doesn't unintentionally incur the wrath of 31 other fan bases by going on LTIR.
Looking back at Robin Williams's epic performance in Dead Poets Society, it's worth looking at Stone in a similar light. His Golden Knights career is wrapping up soon and fans won't see their Captain around anymore. However, his impact on the franchise will last forever, making him one of the most important players ever.
"Oh Captain, my Captain!"