Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone sat down with Gary Lawless and talked about the 2024-25 season and why he believes the franchise can go on another Stanley Cup run.
The 2023-24 season was going very well for Mark Stone before he suffered a lacerated spleen that kept him out until the start of the playoffs. Before the injury occurred, the 32-year-old scored 16 goals and 52 points in 56 games. The 56 games he played marked the fifth consecutive season where he failed to reach the 70-game plateau.
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Despite that, Stone is ramping up for the upcoming season and while still dealing with the many offseason departures, believes he and the team are good enough to win the franchise’s second Stanley Cup.
“I feel like we still are building on a substantial resume we’ve had for the last couple years,” said Stone. “I still feel like we have built a very good foundation to have new players come in. Obviously, the rosters have had some turnover. It is an unfortunate part of the business. You can’t keep everybody and pay everybody. It’s difficult to see friends and teammates go. But we’re adding some new hungry players who are excited to come to Vegas to play with our team.”
With the roster turnover comes excitement to see new young players blossom. Brendan Brisson and newly acquired Alexander Holtz have had success at every level on their path to the NHL and should be eager and hungry to prove it with the Golden Knights.
Related: Golden Knights Hopeful Alexander Holtz Will Have Breakout Season With Fresh Start
The hunger and eagerness doesn’t just exist in the young players on the roster. Stone with all the back surgeries and injuries he’s faced in his career, still wants to prove the doubters wrong.
“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. 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.”
Related: Is Mark Stone’s Injury History A Cause For Concern For The Golden Knights?
This season will likely have many challenges for Stone but if any player in the NHL has the mental fortitude to deal with the challenges and succeed, it’s the Vegas Golden Knights’ captain.
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