(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
Boy, time flies. A little more than seven years ago, Golden Knights general manager George McPhee announced the team had traded for and signed right wing Mark Stone to an 8-year $76 million contract. At the time, the deal made Vegas’ current captain the 12th highest-paid player in the NHL. Well, it’s now 2026, and in 84 regular season games, Stone will need another contract.
Mark Stone’s Golden Knights Production & Franchise Rank
- 400 Games Played (7th)
- 396 Points (3rd)
- 136 Goals (4th)
- 260 Assists (2nd)
- 882 Shots on Goal (6th)
- 144.3 Goals Created (3rd)
- 93 Even Strength Goals (5th)
- 37 Power Play Goals (2nd)
- 189 Power Play Goals On-Ice For (1st)
- 6 Shorthanded Goals (4th)
- 27 Game-Winning Goals (2nd)
- +112 Plus/Minus (3rd)
- iPhone 11 Commercial (T-1st)
Clearly, Stone’s impact on the franchise has been invaluable. He became VGK’s first and only team captain; he’s led the team to seven postseason appearances, two Stanley Cup Finals, and lifted the Stanley Cup. In eight seasons, only a few NHL captains have accomplished as much as Stone. Although he’s missed chunks of time over the years, Stone’s $9.5M cap hit has worked well for the organization. It’s hard to imagine the Golden Knights without #61 on their roster.
So, what is Stone worth now?
If they haven’t already, the front office and their team captain will likely begin discussing an extension for the 2027-28 season soon. VGK’s captain is 34-years-old and will be entering his 15th NHL season. However, Stone’s body was hit hard with recurring injuries after he turned 30 years of age. He’s spent three lengthy stints on LTIR and was forced to miss time in the past six seasons, including playoff games each of the last two years. Realistically, it’ll be tough for Stone to get a raise in pay.
Based on the current market, however, Stone’s potential value could be easily be viewed as north of $10 million per season. This week, future Hall of Fame winger Patrick Kane reconnected with the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2-year/$16M contract. Kane is four years older than Stone and has significantly dropped in production since he left Chicago in 2022. Stone offers so much more than Kane does at this point in both of their careers. Of course, age is a major factor, but Trevor Zegras just signed for $9.125 million, Nico Hischier for $11.7 million, and Connor Bedard for $15 million. And, former teammate Pavel Dorofeyev just inked a deal worth $11 million per year. With all of these numbers on the books and the cap continuing to rise, it’s hard to imagine Stone’s value is less than eight figures per season.
As of today, the Golden Knights have roughly $80M tied up in salaries for the 2027-28 campaign. Is it possible the team captain takes a discount to allow Vegas to continue to max out the cap? Or will Stone try to squeeze out every last dime from The Creator’s wallet since it’s likely his last multi-year extension? Stay tuned because training camp is right around the corner. As much as he dislikes dealing with tough questions, Stone should be ready to face them.
Unless the team locks him in sooner than later, questions about his future will be fair game and the obvious comparison to Jonathan Marchessault is inevitable. The longer it lingers, the more likely it could cause frustration, headaches, and locker room distractions. I’m sure new coach Ryan Craig would prefer a deal in Stone’s hands before the regular season. VGK fans probably would as well.
hdbiker7851
Based on how the front office operates don’t be shocked if nothing happens for some time – the wait and see how things go once training camp and the season begins. At Stone’s age and past injury issues and given the FO’s previous learning experience with some of their signing (Lehner) is a perfect example they might throw out a low-ball deal and let him walk if not acceptable. As everyone continues to point out it’s nothing personal – just business – loyalty or past performance doesn’t enter into the equation they have proven that time and again. On the other hand, if they feel he is valuable I would hope he would take them to the woodshed and get the max he can – based on the circumstances it would be his last chance.
Emmanuel
How much longer will he play? Baned up and “old”.
3@9.9
Emmanuel
Banged
Paula L. Scheele
I want him back, certainly not 8 yrs. I think he’ll be reasonable. Don’t be breaking the bank on him. We need goalie help, that’s what I’d like to hear news on.
hdbiker7851
Hill is a great example of a really poor contract – age and injury wise – he has his retirement package, and the knights can’t unload him. They can’t even give him away – another Lehner deal.
Paula L. Scheele
I don’t know that it was a poor contract, in hindsight now I would have given him 7 and reworked it last year. He’s a good player and he’s a leader. His performance has dropped a little and injuries seem to be catching up. No way would I diminish how he’s helped us, but I wouldn’t be giving him top dollar, or for any extensive terms. I want goalie help, I’m getting anxious on that.
Abdullah
Cut him loose – too old, about to become too expensive , and injured a lot
TS
We keep him, unless he gets injured in Camp.
I say wait a bit to resign him, and see how he looks physically, before we pay him top dollar. 2-3 ys tops. If he’s still a PLUS after 3 yrs, then extend him. He’ll finish his storied career in Vegas.
Love Stoney, but another liability, another LTIR loss, would be repeating the same thing, and expecting a diff result. Can’t afford another CAP dump.
TS
That was ” Re- sign, NOT Resign!! A simple dash changes everything!!
JB
To me, Stoney and Wild Bill are the two most important guys on the team. As far as goalies, it’s a crap shoot no matter who you have. Any of these guys, including Hill, can get on a run.
Paula L. Scheele
I would add Jack in that conversation of 3 most important. I’m not going to get off my soap box of needing goalie help. We need someone we can pretty much count on each game. There’s gotta be someone out there.
Larry
My thoughts on Stone are this:
The injury concern and the lingering effects on his body as he ages are of course legitimate concerns, and should be factored in and addressed during negotiations and the ultimate writing of a proposed contract.
The main concerns I had/have on the poor contracts handed to Hanifin, Theodore and Andersson is they will slow down and be less effective as they hit their early 30’s, that concern nevers enter the picture regarding Stone, as any perceived slow down in his skating would never actually be realized as he is already timed with a sand hourglass timer, his awareness and hockey acumen will I believe keep him a valuable commodity until his eventual retirement and number being lifted to the rafters of The Fortress.
Paula L. Scheele
Well said Larry, I totally agree
Larry
Thank you kindly Paula!