Mark Stone left a lasting impact on the NHL and the Stanley Cup, guiding his team to victory and lifting the revered trophy in the late spring of 2023. He remains the most significant figure in the franchise to this day.

General Managers manage, and coaches guide, both crucial roles indeed. However, it ultimately comes down to the players who play the game and determine the victory or defeat. Mark Stone, the captain of the Vegas Golden Knights, exemplifies a combination of leadership, talent, passion, and determination. At 32, he continues to be a top player, but Stone’s significance extends far beyond his on-ice activities.

Stone establishes the direction, the outlook, and the mentality. He is the boom to Jack Eichel’s mainsail. He is the transmission to Alex Pietrangelo’s chassis. While speed and power can be found throughout the Vegas lineup, it’s Stone who knows when to accelerate, shift gears, or alter position on the field. He is the team captain, the emotional barometer, and an outstanding winger.

Despite missing a lot of hockey games in recent seasons due to back surgeries and a lacerated spleen, Stone still managed to secure a Stanley Cup and 121 points over 136 regular season games.

In the spring of 2022, Vegas did not make it to the post-season. Hockey fans and media worldwide labeled Stone and his teammates as past their prime.

Prior to the upcoming season, Stone defiantly claimed that he had no regard for the opinions and criticisms of others. He had faith in his team and was eager to demonstrate their worth one match at a time. After winning the Stanley Cup and presenting it in his team’s locker room, he yelled to his teammates, “We’re the best damn hockey team in the world!”

The Game 7 defeat to the Dallas Stars and subsequent first round exit last spring was a setback, but it also offered the benefit of an extended off-season. For a franchise that has participated in more playoff hockey over the past seven seasons than any team except the Tampa Bay Lightning, the chance to rest and recuperate was much needed. This might have been most beneficial for the team captain than anyone else.

Gary Lawless: Prior to your Stanley Cup victory, there was a season where you didn’t make the playoffs. At that time, many believed the Golden Knights’ glory days were over. During an interview back then, you were quite frank about your thoughts on these speculations and your team’s abilities. Unfortunately, you faced defeat in the first round last year, losing the seventh game to a formidable Dallas team. Considering what happened last year, do you sense a heightened desire within your team to perform better this year?

Mark Stone: Certainly, the situations in the past two years were different. Last year, we had the potential for a long run, while the year before, missing the playoffs was a blessing in disguise as we needed time to regroup. This year, we continue to build on our significant achievements from the past few years. We’ve laid a solid groundwork for new players to join us. Roster turnover is inevitable and it’s difficult to see teammates leave, but it’s also exciting to welcome new players who are eager to join our team in Vegas.

Over the years, I’ve matured and understood that people wish to see us fail, given our success in the past. However, the strong foundation we’ve built makes it hard for us to falter. I’m confident about the upcoming season and I know the team shares this excitement. We’re eager to prove doubters wrong and show that we’re still a formidable team. Time will ultimately reveal our true potential, but we believe we’re one of the teams that could win the Stanley Cup this year.

GL: This question will probably keep coming up indefinitely. Given your history of back surgeries and last year’s spleen injury, I personally believe that this team cannot succeed without you. You are undeniably the most crucial player here. How do you respond to that?

MS: I’m in high spirits. Even last year, I was feeling excellent, enjoying one of the best statistical years of my career until an unexpected accident occurred. After a lengthy, unfortunate summer, I’m feeling revitalized and eager to return to the game. Some may doubt me when I claim that I aim to play all 82 games each season. Indeed, I’ve encountered some challenging injuries along the journey, but I believe these trials only contribute to the resilience of our team, given what we’ve weathered over the past few years. I’m genuinely thrilled about reassembling the team, resuming practice, and initiating our growth from square one. We’ll begin on the first day, fortifying an already robust foundation.

GL: With Jack Eichel, William Karlsson, Tomas Hertl, and Nicolas Roy as your centers, and a defense featuring Alex Pietrangelo, Noah Hanifin, Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb among others, you’re heading into training camp. Management has brought in Ilya Samsonov to partner with Adin Hill, forming an excellent duo. The saying is always to build from the middle out, starting with the goaltender. Knowing who your goaltender, defense, and centers are, it’s clear that you’re on par with any other team in the NHL.

MS: To achieve victory, a strong defense, exceptional centermen, and skilled goaltending are essential. I find it perplexing that we’re being dismissed when we possess all these attributes. We have four top-tier centers, an in-depth defense, and a goalie who has demonstrated his ability to win the Stanley Cup as a starter. Our second goalie has shown his capability as a starter for most of his career and should be eager to work with our defense. Our wingers are effective and I don’t anticipate any major issues there. With four phenomenal centers that can be shuffled around and occasionally play the wing, our lineup is flexible. We’ve also introduced some new, young players who are eager to make their mark, including Victor Olofsson who is working to revive his league performance. I believe we are well-positioned in the areas where strength is necessary.

GL: How’s your summer been? 

MS: To be honest, my recent months have been quite relaxed. I attended a few weddings and enjoyed some leisure time. It’s been an enjoyable experience seeing my daughter develop into a little individual for the first time last year. Her personality is now really starting to shine through, which has been delightful. That’s the best word to describe it. I’ve particularly relished this opportunity, as time will be scarce once the training camp begins. The past few months have been truly enjoyable. I even managed to visit my father, brother, and his family during the Olympics last week, which was fantastic. I’m eager to return – you simply know when it’s the right time, and it certainly feels like it now.

GL, are you interested in representing Canada in the 4 Nations Face-off?

MS: It’s certainly one of those aspirations, isn’t it? I would never reject such an opportunity. It’s my aim to make that team. I desire to be part of that team. I would be thrilled to have two peak years personally and represent Canada in 2025 and 2026. It would be like a dream come true; playing with the world’s best players. I would absolutely cherish and embrace it. It could be one of the greatest achievements in my career. However, if it doesn’t come to pass, I’ll direct my focus towards the Vegas Golden Knights. I won’t deny that I’m extremely interested and motivated to earn a place on that team.

GL: Reflecting on last year’s playoffs, it appeared that you and Hertl could have used a bit more time to get back into the lineup. Dallas was a strong competitor. However, it wasn’t only you and Hertl coming back from injuries, but several other players as well. What do you speculate might have been the outcome had you defeated Dallas?

MS: It’s difficult to speculate. There’s always talk of what could have been, but I remain confident in our team for every series we participate in. I firmly believe that defeating us in four out of seven games is a challenging feat. I’ve always held this belief, and it’s why I think we have the potential to win the Stanley Cup in every season. The Dallas team struggled to overcome us, they had to go all seven games. It was an unfortunate outcome, with the deciding factor being a lucky bounce that sent the puck off Marty’s skate and into the corner. Had that not occurred, we might have progressed further, but that’s the nature of hockey. Perhaps we experienced similar lucky breaks the previous year. However, as I’ve mentioned, I always enter a series with the knowledge that a team needs to beat us in four out of seven games, a feat I believe is quite difficult. This belief in our team’s abilities is where my confidence lies.

GL: What aspects of training camp do you enjoy?

MS: It’s an interesting question. People often talk about the challenges of training camps, but I personally enjoy the eagerness of young players attending their first camp. It’s inspiring. I can relate to their excitement because I remember being in their shoes, thrilled to be on NHL ice for the first time. In exhibition games, we try to recreate the atmosphere of regular season games as closely as possible. Many of these kids will return to junior hockey, but they’re eager to gain experience. We aim to make them feel at ease. Even now, as a 32-year-old walking into the first day of training camp, I still feel the excitement I felt at 23 during my first NHL camp. It’s thrilling to see the staff and all the players. The environment may be chaotic, but it’s organized, and it’s a great opportunity to set the tone for the upcoming season. We’ll have new players at this year’s training camp who will be part of our team, and it’s crucial they understand our standards and practices.

GL: You’ve had some game time with (Pavel) Dorofeyev who seems to be on the brink of achieving significant things. Are you thrilled about his prospects?

MS: I strongly believe he is improving consistently, not just year by year, but day by day. His progress seems steady and constant. I see in him a unique talent that sets him apart from the majority. Not many can shoot or take pucks to the net as he can. As he becomes more familiar with the league, he will discover more scoring opportunities. His style of play complements his linemates effectively, which isn’t something all players can do. Some make it difficult for their linemates, but he isn’t one of them. He wins pucks for the team when he’s on the ice and does so with a high level of skill, especially working the walls. He will definitely be a significant player for our team.