Mark Stone's fate confirmed for the Vegas Golden Knights

Just days ago, Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon gave Stone the green light for full contact and participation in practice.

Stone has been sidelined since February 20 due to a lacerated spleen. During his absence, Vegas utilized the LTIR to manage his $9.5 million cap hit, along with those of Robin Lehner and Alexandre Carrier. This allowed the team to make significant additions at the trade deadline, including Anthony Mantha, Noah Hanifin, and Tomas Hertl.

The 31-year-old forward has had a productive season, tallying 16 goals and 53 points in 56 games with the Golden Knights.

Stone joined Vegas in a trade with the Ottawa Senators in 2019 and was named the team's first-ever captain in 2021. He played a pivotal role in leading the Golden Knights to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2023, recording 24 points in 22 playoff games.

Originally selected in the 2010 NHL Draft, Stone made his NHL debut with the Senators in 2012 after a successful junior hockey career with the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Throughout his career, spanning over 640 games across 12 seasons, Stone has amassed 212 goals and 567 points in the regular season, along with 34 goals and 74 points in 95 playoff appearances.

The Golden Knights finished the season with a 45-29-8 record and 98 points, setting the stage for their first-round matchup against the Dallas Stars in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.