Mark Stone Suspended Over Burst Up With Teammate

Mark Stone Suspended Over Burst Up With Teammate

The Vegas Golden Knights recently announced that their captain, Mark Stone, has been cleared to practice with the team just over a week ahead of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Stone, who suffered a lacerated spleen on February 20 in a game against the Nashville Predators, is expected to participate in a non-contact jersey during Friday’s morning skate.

The recovery of Stone, who sustained an injury during gameplay, has been under close monitoring. The 31-year-old forward’s return to practice indicates a notable progress in his rehabilitation process. Initially, Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon ruled Stone out for the rest of the regular season. However, Stone’s progress has exceeded expectations, and he is now on track to make a comeback earlier than anticipated.

During Stone’s absence, the Golden Knights have navigated their roster with strategic cap management. Stone’s $9.5-million cap hit was moved to long-term injured reserve (LTIR) after Jack Eichel, with a $10-million cap hit, was taken off LTIR in early March.

With Stone’s cap hit on LTIR, along with forward William Carrier ($1.4-million cap hit) and goaltender Robin Lehner ($5-million cap hit), the Golden Knights have significant flexibility under the salary cap. PuckPedia reports that Vegas has an LTIR pool of approximately $15.9 million, allowing them to exceed the salary cap by that amount.

Currently, the Golden Knights’ total cap hit, including the LTIR pool, stands at $764,183. This cap management strategy has provided the team with financial flexibility to make strategic moves, particularly leading up to the trade deadline.

At the trade deadline, the Golden Knights acquired Tomas Hertl from the San Jose Sharks, with the Sharks retaining approximately 17 percent of his salary. This acquisition added a cap hit of roughly $6.75 million over the next seven seasons for the Golden Knights.

Additionally, Vegas acquired Noah Hanifin from the Calgary Flames, with Calgary and the Philadelphia Flyers each retaining portions of his salary in a three-team deal. This acquisition left the Golden Knights with an approximate $1.23-million cap hit. The team also moved Daniil Miromanov and his $762,500 cap hit to the Flames in this deal, resulting in a net increase of $475,000 to their overall cap hit.

In further roster moves, the Golden Knights recently announced an eight-year contract extension for defenseman Noah Hanifin worth $7.35 million annually. This signing demonstrates the team’s commitment to solidifying their roster for the long term.

Amid these transactions and Stone’s recovery, the Golden Knights have navigated various challenges to maintain competitiveness heading into the postseason. Stone’s return to practice injects optimism and depth into the team’s lineup, providing a boost ahead of the playoffs.

However, amidst the positive developments, an internal issue emerged as Mark Stone was suspended for one game due to a physical altercation with a teammate during a practice session. The incident, which reportedly stemmed from on-ice frustrations, led to disciplinary action from the team’s management.

Despite this setback, Stone’s return to practice signals a positive trajectory as the Golden Knights prepare for playoff contention. The team’s strategic cap management and roster maneuvers reflect a proactive approach to optimizing their lineup for postseason success.

As Stone integrates back into the team’s activities and the Golden Knights finalize their preparations for the playoffs, the organization remains focused on achieving their ultimate goal of contending for the Stanley Cup. Stone’s recovery and subsequent return to play represent a pivotal storyline as the Golden Knights embark on their postseason journey.