Things have gone from bad to worse for Mark Stone, captain of the Vegas Golden Knights.
Last year, Stone stayed healthy for 66 games– the most he’s played since the 2016-17 season. He scored 19 goals and recorded a career-high in assists (48), points (67), and power play points (25).
This year, it seems he won’t be so lucky.
He left Saturday’s contest against the Calgary Flames midway through the third period amid a four-point night. On Monday, the Golden Knights placed him on Injured Reserve. And on Thursday, they officially placed Stone on Long-Term Injured Reserve.
In doing so, the Golden Knights added $3.82 cap space in LTIR funds.
The biggest difference between Injured Reserve and LTIR is the time a player is out. When the Golden Knights placed Stone on IR, that was confirmation that he’d be out for seven days. By upgrading that to LTIR, seven days becomes (at least) ten games and 24 calendar days.
Now, the earliest Stone can return is November 15th.
Stone started the season hot with two goals and 13 points in six games. He’s second in the league in points, and tied for first in power play points with eight.
The Golden Knights will have to do without one of their scoring leaders for at least nine more games. It won’t be easy, especially since the power play runs through Stone. But they do have a plan for how to fill the void.