Team Canada hopes to get more than an expressive Mark Stone on their Olympic roster

Everyone knows Mark Stone as the expressive Captain for the Vegas Golden Knights. He's the club's unequivocal leader, showcasing fiery emotions whenever he scores in big moments. Fans have grown attached to the Winnipeg native, making him one of the franchise's cornerstones.

Of course, that also comes with telling your teammates off. Stone wants to win at the highest level, hoping to bring as many Stanley Cups to Las Vegas as possible. Max Pacioretty seemed to learn this lesson the hard way as the Captain told him exactly how the team felt.

I guess some people aren't fit for the Golden Knights lifestyle.

But that's the type of leadership that Team Canada will get come the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Golden Knights forward gets to join some elite company, playing alongside gigastars such as Mitch Marner, Connor McDavid, and Nathan MacKinnon. How cool is that?

Stone would probably say something along the lines of...

"Not as cool as winning a gold medal."

Or...

"Not as cool as winning the Stanley Cup."

I mean, both of those would be much better than just playing with McDavid and MacKinnon. But getting the first is the main objective here. Here's how the Captain can help Team Canada reach that goal and get the former (at least).

What Mark Stone brings to Team Canada for the 2026 Winter Olympics

Looking at Mark Stone's style of play, you'll see that he prides himself on positioning and hockey intelligence. That's particularly true when he's on the attack. The Winnipeg native does an excellent job at reading opposing defenses and acting accordingly, making him dangerous in any offensive situation.

It's partially why he's projected to hit 82 points (30 goals and 52 assists) this season, despite missing time with injuries. Stone has become one of the most effective facilitators in the NHL (when healthy, of course). But it's also why teammates like Jack Eichel have benefited greatly from his presence.

Stone is also the type of player who masters puck control. He's excellent at finding redirections and deflections to get the puck to his teammates, as proven in this goal to Mitch Marner. If the winger gets space behind the net, he can function at his best by seeing the play unfold. Then, he strikes accordingly, finding his teammate in the appropriate spot.

Granted, he's not as fast as he used to be as a player. However, Team Canada would benefit greatly from having him on the offensive attack. Canada will become a force at moving the puck, especially in the offensive zone. Canadians are already envisioning Stone setting up goals for McDavid as he crashes the net.

Maybe we'll get more expressions for the Great North? That's what Canada is hoping for.