Mark Stone fires back at all the Vegas Golden Knights haters
Photo credit: The Hockey News
The Vegas Golden Knights have faced plenty of criticism in recent years, not just for how they've handled star players and fan favorites but also for their controversial approach to the NHL salary cap.
This offseason, Vegas lost another key figure: Jonathan Marchessault, an original member of the 2017-18 expansion team and the 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy winner. After signing with the Nashville Predators, Marchessault expressed his disappointment, feeling that Vegas showed little interest in keeping him.
Team captain Mark Stone, who has been at the center of the Golden Knights' salary cap strategies, is well aware that the team has become a target for critics.
"As I'm older I have realized that people are going to put a bullseye on our back because they want to see us fail," Stone said. "We haven't failed too much in our history. People want to see the Golden Knights crash and burn. But like I said, I think the foundation we built doesn't really allow for that to happen. So, I'm feeling confident.
"I think the team is excited to get back. We definitely have that chip on our shoulder. A lot of people in our industry don't believe that we can get back to the team that we know we are, but time will tell. We still believe that we're one of the teams that is going to training camp with the chance to win the Stanley Cup."
"I think the team is excited to get back. We definitely have that chip on our shoulder. A lot of people in our industry don't believe that we can get back to the team that we know we are, but time will tell. We still believe that we're one of the teams that is going to training camp with the chance to win the Stanley Cup."
Stone, who has played just 136 games over the last three seasons, including two stints on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) before returning just in time for the playoffs, says he's eager to get back on the ice.
"I feel good. I was feeling great last year too. I was having one of the better statistical years of my career too until I had that freak accident," Stone said. "I'm feeling good and energized after an unfortunate long summer. I am excited to get back playing.
"People think I'm lying when I say I expect to play 82 games every year. Unfortunately, I've had some tough injuries that I've had to deal with along the way, but I think that just builds the adversity of what our team has gone through over the last number of years. I'm really excited to get the group back together, practicing again, and start to build from the ground up. Starting day one, adding onto an already strong foundation."
"People think I'm lying when I say I expect to play 82 games every year. Unfortunately, I've had some tough injuries that I've had to deal with along the way, but I think that just builds the adversity of what our team has gone through over the last number of years. I'm really excited to get the group back together, practicing again, and start to build from the ground up. Starting day one, adding onto an already strong foundation."
| POLL | ||
21 AOUT | 64 ANSWERS Mark Stone fires back at all the Vegas Golden Knights haters Do you think the Vegas Golden Knights will make it through the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs? | ||
| Yes | 24 | 37.5 % |
| No | 35 | 54.7 % |
| They won't make the playoffs | 5 | 7.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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