When people say the name, "Mark Stone," it draws up a flurry of emotions from Vegas Golden Knights and NHL fans alike. On the one hand, you see a man who wears his emotions on his sleeve, showcasing his various expressions after scoring a goal. On the other, you have the man who's used for... LTIR purposes.
That's drawn the ire of various hockey fans who should be mad at their own teams for not understanding the rules (that's a rant for another time). Premier clubs like the Golden Knights, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Edmonton Oilers use LTIR effectively, getting better players for a Stanley Cup run. Yet, these people can't be satisfied. Ah, it stinks being at the forefront of the NHL conversation.
Speaking of Stone, he'll be at the center of the hockey universe again. With the Golden Knights getting salary cap relief from the Robin Lehner situation ($1,460,017), they could make another run at big-name stars. Could we see Jeremy Swayman coming to Vegas in case Stone or William Karlsson hit the injured reserve list? Such ideas are far-fetched with the coming season.
But that doesn't mean the Captain won't be the most interesting player for Vegas this upcoming season. Numerous questions surround the forward as he enters another year with the Golden Knights. What questions make him the most interesting man for the franchise (stay thirsty, my friends)?
Why Mark Stone is the most interesting player on the Vegas Golden Knights
The first thing that sticks out with Stone is if he'll play a full season with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2024-25. Last season, he missed time with a lacerated spleen, yet he still scored 16 goals and 37 assists in 56 games. His presence is crucial to the offensive success of the Golden Knights.
That's especially true with William Karlsson dealing with an undisclosed injury before the regular season. There's a possibility the "Misfit" could miss time, meaning Stone's presence will be further appreciated. That also goes for any Golden Knights star injured or underperforming on the top line, where the Captain can be easily slotted in a spot.
Stone's versatility makes him a dangerous weapon for Vegas, given he can go anywhere. Fans know how well he does on both ends of the ice. However, versatility is the most important part of his game, where he can be deployed in any situation and play a position if needed. That includes even strength and power play situations.
There's also the injury bug for Stone
Mark Stone has dealt with a wave of injuries in the past three seasons, ranging from lacerated spleens to broken backs. Fans are concerned that not having the Captain for the long haul could impact their chances of being a Stanley Cup contender (or Kelly McCrimmon could anger the entire hockey universe and place him on LTIR again). After all, having that versatile offensive piece is crucial to any team's success.
Stone has scored 32 goals and 79 assists despite playing 136 games in the past three seasons. That includes 10 goals and 19 assists on the power play. He's shown he can put up reasonable numbers and be a key component to the Golden Knights attack. Therefore, staying healthy for a full year can help Vegas get back to being Stanley Cup contenders.
Of course, injuries are an unknown variable that can't be controlled. They can strike at any time in a high-paced sport, leaving players out of commission for a while. Will these injuries pile up on Stone and reduce his production in 2024-25? Will he miss more time? If both answers are "no", that will be excellent news for the Golden Knights.