Mark Stone left an unforgettable mark on the NHL and the Stanley Cup when he led his team to victory and hoisted the revered trophy in the late spring of 2023. He remains the most significant figure of the franchise, then and now.

General Managers (GMs) and coaches certainly play crucial roles in managing and coaching, respectively. However, ultimately, it’s the players who are in action, making the win or loss. Take Mark Stone, for example. This 32-year-old captain of the Vegas Golden Knights exemplifies leadership, talent, emotion, and drive. While he continues to be a top-tier player, there’s a lot more to Stone beyond his performance during the game.

Stone dictates the direction, the disposition, and the mental state. If Jack Eichel is the primary sail, Stone is the supporting pole. If Alex Pietrangelo is the framework, Stone is the gear system. Vegas possesses speed and strength in their roster, but Stone is the one who discerns when to accelerate, decelerate, or alter position in the game. He’s the leader, the emotional compass, and an incredible winger.

Despite numerous health issues, including back surgeries and a lacerated spleen that caused Stone to miss many hockey games over the past few seasons, he has still managed to secure a Stanley Cup and accumulate 121 points over 136 regular season games.

In the spring of 2022, Vegas didn’t make it to the post-season and Stone along with his teammates were labeled as washed up by fans and media across the hockey world.

Before the next season, a resolute Stone stated that he had no interest in the views or words of others. He had faith in his team and looked forward to demonstrating their abilities, one game at a time. After lifting the Stanley Cup in front of the world and carrying it into his team’s locker room, he shouted at his teammates, “We’re the best damn hockey team in the world!”

The Game 7 defeat to the Dallas Stars and consequent first-round exit in last spring was certainly disappointing. However, 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 time for rest and recuperation was highly appreciated. This was perhaps particularly true for the team captain.

Gary Lawless: Before your Stanley Cup win, you had a training camp after missing the playoffs the previous year. There were rumors about the Golden Knights being past their prime. I interviewed you back then and you were quite candid about your feelings towards these speculations and your team. Last year, you suffered a first-round loss in Game 7 to a strong Dallas team. How do you feel about your team’s hunger for success this year, considering last year’s outcome?

Mark Stone: Absolutely, these are two distinct scenarios. In my opinion, we could have had a substantial run last year. On the other hand, missing the playoffs the year before was perhaps a blessing in disguise. It allowed everyone to recover from the physical and mental strain and get everything in order. However, this year, I believe we are still building on the strong track record we’ve established over the past few years. I’m confident that we have established a strong base for new players to join. Naturally, there have been some changes in the rosters, an unfortunate reality of the business. You can’t retain and pay everyone. It’s tough to see friends and teammates leave, but we’re welcoming new ambitious players who are eager to join our team in Vegas. I was more emotional when I was younger, but as I’ve matured, I’ve come to realize that others are hoping to see us fail. We haven’t disappointed too often in our history. People are eager to see the Golden Knights stumble, but I believe that the structure we’ve built won’t allow that. So, I’m optimistic. I believe the team is eager to return. We definitely have a point to prove. Many in our field doubt our ability to return to our past form, but only time will tell. We continue to believe that we’re among the teams entering training camp with a shot at the Stanley Cup.

GL: This question might follow you for a long time, perhaps permanently. You’ve undergone a couple of back surgeries and then last year, you had a spleen injury. I personally believe that without you, this team cannot emerge victorious. You are the most vital player here. What are your thoughts on this?

MS: I’m in high spirits. Last year was excellent as well, one of the best in terms of my career stats until an unexpected accident occurred. However, a lengthy summer has left me revitalized and eager to return to the game. Some may doubt it, but my goal is always to play all 82 games each season, despite past injuries that have hindered this. These setbacks have only added to our team’s resilience over the years. I can’t wait to reunite with the team, kickstart our practice sessions, and begin building from scratch. We’ll start from day one, enhancing the solid groundwork already in place.

GL: You’ll be entering training camp alongside centermen Jack Eichel, William Karlsson, Tomas Hertl, and Nicolas Roy, and defensemen Alex Pietrangelo, Noah Hanifin, Shea Theodore, and Brayden McNabb, among others. Management has also brought in Ilya Samsonov to pair with Adin Hill, creating a solid goaltending duo. It’s often said that a team is built from the middle out, starting with the goaltender, then the defense, and finally the centermen. Judging by this roster, you’re on par with the best in the NHL.

MS: What’s essential for victory? A robust defense, excellent centermen, and competent goaltending are prerequisites. Given that, I find it perplexing why we’re being underestimated. We have four top-notch centers, a strong defense that goes six or eight deep, and a goalie who’s a proven Stanley Cup winner. We also have another goalie who has demonstrated his starting caliber throughout most of his career. He should be enthused to play with the defense we have. Our wingers are competent and complement our team well; I don’t envision this being a significant problem. With four exceptional centers, we have the flexibility to shift them around, and they can even play as wingers when necessary. We’ve also brought in some promising young players looking to make their mark in the league, including Victor Olofsson, who’s aiming to reestablish himself. I believe we’re formidable in the areas where it matters the most.

GL: How’s your summer been? 

MS: To be honest, it’s been pretty low key. I attended a few weddings and spent some quiet time. Over the past few months, it’s been fascinating to watch my daughter grow and develop her personality. At first, it wasn’t apparent, but now it’s becoming quite evident which has been a delightful experience. The best way to describe it is fun. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this phase, especially since I won’t be able to spend as much time with her once training camp starts. The past few months have been truly enjoyable. I even had the chance to visit my family during the Olympics last week. I saw my father, brother, and his family which was fantastic. I’m eagerly anticipating my return. You always sense when the time is right, and it feels like it’s about time.

GL: Are you interested in representing Canada at the 4 Nations Face-off?

MS: It’s quite a thing, isn’t it? I would never reject an opportunity like that. One of my goals is to be a part of that team. It’s my dream to represent Canada in 2025 and 2026 after two successful personal years. Playing with the world’s best players would be a dream come true. I would absolutely adore and embrace it. It could be one of the greatest achievements in my career. However, if it doesn’t materialize, I’ll redirect my focus to the Vegas Golden Knights. I would be dishonest if I claimed that I wasn’t extremely intrigued and determined to make the team.

GL: Reflecting on last year’s playoffs, it appeared that both you and Hertl could have used a bit more time in the lineup. You faced a formidable opponent in Dallas. However, it wasn’t only you and Hertl recovering from injuries, there were several others too. What’s your perspective on what could have transpired if you had defeated Dallas?

MS: It’s hard to predict. We can ponder about what might have been, but I remain confident for every series we participate in. I strongly believe that it’s extremely challenging for any team to defeat us in four out of seven games. That’s always my belief. It makes me think that we have the potential to win the Stanley Cup every season, don’t you agree? It was difficult for Dallas to defeat us in four out of seven games. They had to push it to the seventh game. It was unfortunate. The deciding factor was an unlucky bounce, which deflected off Marty’s skate just right in the corner. If not for that, we could have progressed. But that’s the unpredictable nature of hockey. Perhaps we got those lucky breaks the previous year. However, as I mentioned, I will always be confident entering a series, knowing that a team has to overcome us in four out of seven games, because I believe that’s a significant challenge. This confidence stems from my faith in our team.

GL, what do you enjoy about training camp?

MS: That’s an interesting point. People often talk about the challenges of training camps, but I personally love the energy of fresh players attending their first camp. It’s quite inspiring, actually. I can easily recall my own excitement when I was in their shoes, thrilled to step onto the NHL ice for the first time. Our aim is to make the exhibition games feel as close to regular season games as possible. Many of these young players are returning to junior hockey and want to gain experience. We strive to make them feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible. On the first day of training camp, as a 32-year-old, I still experience the same excitement I did when I was 23 and at my first NHL training camp. There’s something special about seeing the staff and all the players. It’s a kind of organized chaos, where we can achieve a lot and establish the standard for the upcoming season. We’re going to have new players at training camp this year who will be part of our team. It’s important for them to understand our methods and the standards we uphold.

GL: You’ve had some experience playing with (Pavel) Dorofeyev, and it seems like he is on the brink of significant success. Does this excite you?

MS: Yes, he has been consistently improving, not just year by year, but day by day. His steady progress is evident and it’s clear that he possesses a unique talent that sets him apart from the rest. Few players can match his shooting skills or his ability to take pucks to the net. As he continues to gain more experience and understand the league better, he will undoubtedly find more scoring opportunities. He has a knack for enhancing his linemates’ game, a quality that not everyone possesses. Some players make it difficult for their linemates to play off, but he isn’t one of them. When he’s on the ice, he wins pucks for the team and his skill at working the walls at a high level often goes unnoticed. He’s certainly going to be a crucial player for us.