Mark Stone, Reilly Smith, and William Karlsson are some of the longest-tenured Vegas Golden Knights players in franchise history. Two have been Original Misfits, while the other came to the team in 2019. Together, they've formed one of the more steady groups within the organization, bringing home a Stanley Cup in the process.
But it appears their greatest work is yet to come. Insiders and experts couldn't help but rave about the trio's work as a line on Wednesday, lauding their cohesiveness and combatibility.
As far as boxes Bruce Cassidy would like to check in the preseason go, that shift by the Stone, Karlsson, Smith line leading to a late go-ahead goal has to rank pretty high.
— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) October 2, 2025
From gritty shifts to a veteran presence, the trio has done exemplary work as a group. They've proven that the old school still has something left in the tank, giving Vegas much-needed juice in the middle of the lineup.
Fans know about the familiarity between the two Original Misfits. Both understand each other's game and play off one another well. Just look at the 2022-23 stats and see how well they worked on the same line (stats courtesy of MoneyPuck).
Line | xGoals% | xGoals For | xGoals Against | xGoals For Per 60 Minutes | xGoals Against Per 60 Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smith-Karlsson-Kessel | 59% | 4.6 | 3.2 | 3.29 | 2.29 |
Mind you, this was with an aging Phil Kessel on the same line. Imagine what Vegas can do with Mark Stone, who isn't 37 years old. The possibilities with the group are endless, especially when your Captain can still produce points.
Why fans can't ignore this Vegas Golden Knights throwback line of Mark Stone, William Karlsson, and Reilly Smith
They say that familiarity breeds contempt. It's supposed to be a wise saying where people eventually get tired of seeing the same surroundings over and over again. But does that apply to this line for the upcoming season?
I'm going to guess that it doesn't. In fact, it could serve as a huge advantage for the Golden Knights for the 2025-26 season. Intangibles can help or hinder a team, whether that's player chemistry or differing styles clashing with each other.
That applies here with Stone, Smith, and Karlsson. All three players have been together since 2019, growing familiar with each other's games. That familiarity helps each player understand the other's strengths and weaknesses, picking up the slack for one another.
Are there concerns about the group being too slow? Yeah. All three players are beyond the 30-year-old mark and are winding their careers down. But you can't beat a group of two-way stars that understand each other well. That's part of why Smith and Karlsson were two of Vegas's strongest players in the second round last season.
Is there concern with the Smith-Karlsson-Stone line down the road?
Having all three linemen over 30 raises some concerns. There's the speed problem that lingers, where Father Time takes a heaping morsel out of every player who crosses over the threshold. Your body wants to do one thing. But, then...
Yep, I felt that getting out of bed.
There's also the fatigue factor that Father Time eats at, too. You get tired more easily as the season passes, leaving you running out of breath. While those are valid concerns for Smith, Karlsson, and Stone, it shouldn't be too much of a problem for the trio this season.
Let's say that fear comes true, though. It won't be that concerning since Cassidy will reshuffle his lineup. The head coach always looks for a well-functioning line with his forward group. Therefore, fans shouldn't expect a static line throughout the 2025-26 season.
Still, the reviews are in and the Smith-Karlsson-Stone line has gotten the "two thumbs up" treatment. Get your popcorn and your sodas and head to your seats, ladies and gentlemen. The old school's about to put together a blockbuster fit for summer viewing.
The only difference? It's coming in October.