Everyone in Vegas is pumped about Mitch Marner’s arrival as a Golden Knight. No one may be more excited, though, than Marner’s new captain.
Appearing recently on an Ottawa Senators-focused podcast, Mark Stone was asked about the team adding Marner, and he instantly lit up with a big smile and started with a quip, “we’re adding a pretty good player, I think.” He also joked, “I’m sure you guys are excited to get him out of Toronto.”
He continued with a genuine response, not just focusing on the player himself, but also on how well he fits the Golden Knights’ roster.
We’re pretty damn excited to get him. He’s a player we’ve kind of missed. We don’t really have that super-skilled smallish-type guy that can make everyone around him better and make those crazy skilled plays. You look at all of our forwards, we’re kind of big, go-to-the-net, puck-possession type guys. He makes plays that very few players in the NHL can make. –Mark Stone on Coming In Hot Podcast
When Marner steps on the ice as a Golden Knight, he’ll be the shortest and lightest player on the team. Standing 6’0” (which is probably generous) and 180 pounds, Marner will bring a different element to the VGK forward group that should be a great match with bigger players like Stone, Jack Eichel, and Tomas Hertl.
(A match made in heaven) is the way I look at it. He brings speed, he’s one of the best playmakers, still usually scores around 30 goals. I mean, he had 100 points. There aren’t many guys in the league that did it, and we’re getting him. He’s definitely a piece that’s a welcome addition to us. When you add superstars, it makes your team better. –Stone on Coming In Hot Podcast
No matter where he fits into the lineup, Marner will play the playmaker role on the line. He’ll likely be paired up with at least one forward measuring in at 6’3” and 200+ pounds, and could be on a line with two.
It’s just one more element opposing teams will have to worry about when trying to stop the Golden Knights. With Marner, VGK get faster, smarter, and even more dangerous offensively after posting the 5th most goals in the league in 2024-25.
No one loves winning more than Mark Stone, and seeing his eyes light up when he was reminded about Marner coming to Vegas should have VGK fans even more excited than they already were.
*The whole interview is available here. It’s an awesome 46-minute listen as Stone gets into all sorts of different topics, including VGK’s win-now mentality, state income tax, 4 Nations, and much more. There’s also a golf story that may garner a full article itself in the near future too.*
Emmanuel
Im guessing he will score in the 25-30G range.
My question is who will benefit from his passing?
You could make a good case for a Doro/Hertl/Marner line.
Im not sold on Doro @ LW, my memory sees him shooting mostly from the other side on a one-timer.
NAM
If you want to play Marner with Doro, then Doro needs to switch sides. Can he still be affective on the other side? I am sure we will find out.
Ftzhh
Doro is great. Get sold.
ThG
time for some lively music, whipped cream
TS
Omg, my parents had this album! Memories… Tequila!!
Carolyn O'Reilly
Always my favorite player on the Leaf’s. The way he sizes up a play and handles the buck is beauty on ice. I may become a Vegas fan .
Hdbiker7851
Time will tell – l hope he lives up to all the glowing articles for that kind of $$$$$$s. Yesterday performance unfortunately does not guarantees tomorrows performance.
Hdbiker7851
The problem with all the hype – whether deserved or not l recall the same hype about an elite goalie vgk acquired to replace fluery+ the walrus. I am sure all remember what a disaster that turned out to be.
Bugsy
Just wait until his team and the fan base find out that he plays scared in the playoffs, doesn’t forecheck and completely disappears in big games. He just doesn’t have that extra playoff gear and his immature antics and selfish behaviour was a huge distraction in the locker room. He openly complained about his coaches and not getting the C. Screaming at his own bench to wake the F up against the Panthers in game 7 and then giving the puck away for a goal on his next shift was all the Leafs needed to know about him. Marner also racked up many of his points in Toronto feeding Matthews and Eichel is no Matthews when it comes to putting the puck in the net. Wish him the best but glad he’s gone.
Kevin C
Or…
Just wait until he shows up in the playoffs, rocks the house and scores >1PPG for the entire run … meaning it had more to do with the environment than the player?
Glad you’re happy he’s gone … we’re ecstatic he’s here … a win/win