Vegas captain Mark Stone has had a resurgence in 2025-26. Through 39 games, Stone has already passed his goal total from each of the previous four seasons, and there’s no sign of him slowing down. Over the last month, he’s been averaging close to 20 minutes per night and remains in the top ten in the NHL with a 22.7% shooting percentage. It’s truly remarkable that the often-injured 33-year-old is on pace for his best season as a Golden Knight.
Stone’s performance this season has caught the attention of many, and one outlet has Stone in the conversation with the NHL’s elite.
The only reason Stone isn’t a top five scorer this season is because of injuries. He was sidelined for 16 games earlier this year, yet he still has a whopping 53 points in 37 games, good enough for a 118-point pace. When you break that down further, Stone ranked sixth in the NHL with 1.44 points per game heading into Thursday night, behind only McDavid, MacKinnon, Kucherov, Celebrini and Leon Draiasatl. Stone’s numbers are even better when it comes to points per 60, sitting behind only McDavid, MacKinnon and Kucherov. In total, Stone has at least one point in 32 of his 37 games this season, which equates to finding the scoresheet in 86 per cent of his outings. That’s the highest percentage by anyone this year who has played at least 35 games. –Michael Amato on Sportsnet.ca
There’s no doubt Stone’s impact has been a major reason for the Golden Knights’ first place record and their string of comeback victories. He’s been a force on Vegas’ power play unit with 21 points on the man-advantage. More importantly, when the game is tight, Stone has 11 points in 5-on-5 Close scenarios.
Mark Stone’s Yearly VGK Statistics
- 2019-20: 65 Games Played, 21 Goals, 63 Points, 19:25 ATOI
- 2020-21: 55 Games Played, 21 Goals, 61 Points, 19:04 ATOI
- 2021-22: 37 Games Played, 9 Goals, 30 Points, 18:21 ATOI
- 2022-23: 43 Games Played, 17 Goals, 38 Points, 19:23 ATOI
- 2023-24: 56 Games Played, 16 Goals, 53 Points, 19:24 ATOI
- 2024-25: 66 Games Played, 19 Goals, 67 Points, 19:15 ATOI
- 2025-26: 39 Games Played, 20 Goals, 55 Points, 19:41 ATOI (On Pace for: 34 Goals, 93 Points)
Here’s the rub. As Sportsnet properly points out, Stone sits behind Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Nikita Kucherov. We’re talking about the crème de la crème of the NHL. Each is 30+ points ahead of VGK’s captain, and all will easily reach 100 points, a benchmark Stone has never come close to in his 14-year career. As much as the voters would like to reward the 2023 Stanley Cup champion, it’s nearly impossible to do so when several MVP-caliber players are on blistering paces.
One thing that immediately jumps out when you watch Stone play is his passion for the game. Whether it’s one of his goals or a teammate’s, Stone’s wild celebrations have become a sight to behold and can sometimes distract from just how good a player he is. Don’t let that fool you, though. Stone is one of the league’s most complete and unique players, quietly putting together a season that only a handful can rival. –Amato on Sportsnet.ca
So, will Stone win the 2026 Hart Memorial Trophy? Absolutely not. Come late June the award will be handed out to one of the elite players who are near the century mark already. However, Vegas’ leader will receive some Hart votes like he did after the conclusion of the 2018-19, and 2020-21 seasons. It wouldn’t be a shock if teammate Jack Eichel receives votes as well.
Either way, it’s fitting for the franchise’s first captain to be recognized for his career-high bounce-back season.
vgk21
Sportsnet Floats Mark Stone For Hart?
=======================
they are going to trade him for an injured goalie?
TS
VGK, i believe the Trophy is called the ” Hart” trophy– no reference or relation to Carter Hart. I know, confusing!
vgk21
Vgk have found a fix for their early game troubles. and to build on their last period comebacks.
Vgk announce that from now on the first period will be called the 3rd period. and the second period will also be called the 3rd period. and the third period will be called, you guessed it, the 3rd period.
however, OT will be called the TURD period, as they always stink in that one.
Emmanuel
Hes been out for too many games, that would disqualify him in my book, were talking about the best of the best after all……
CANADA
Could never see Stone traded unless they determin it’s a rebuild year . Dosent seem to be McCrimmons style. The only time you see STONE mentioned on this forum seems to be about injury or how good he is . I’m sure Kelly sees what we see or vice versa.
hdbiker7851
Unfortunately, McCrimmon’s interest in any and all bright new toys (players) that comes into sight is proving to be a determent to the Knights – some have worked out others have failed and some of the decisions about extensions, particularly in the goalie category just smell up the place. It’s too bad Stone missed games again this year as he is the heartbeat of the Knights – lately however, that hasn’t helped much. While it’s great, he is going to the Olympics it probably is not the best situation for the Knights. I am sure we all remember the Four Nation deal where Theodore got injured. Hopefully all who are going from the Knights return in good shape so they can give it all they got so the team is in the playoffs. How about a win Wednesday evening for a change of scenery. Worry about Thursday next one game at a time. Whatever they have been doing lately hasn’t been panning out.
Larry
For the sake of argument, let us suppose this:
Mitch Marner is a very good player, but not a great player at least in my opinion, and I respectfully submit this:
What if instead of signing him VGK would have acquired 2 $5million forwards and 1 $2 million dollar 4th liner, with the added possibility of retaining Nic Roy, would that have not made more sense to have a more balanced lineup?
We can’t go into the way back machine ( thank you Mr Peabody and Sherman), we have to live with what we have and at least try to stay positive and hope for the best.
Pistol Pete
How can you call a player #9 points/game active players not great? He’s great and it’s not just his points he’s one the best defensive forwards in league always gets Selke votes. Playing point on the PP he’s better defending a short-handed rush than any D we have, in fact he’s so good he could probably play D in the NHL even though he’s under-sized. As a kid he wanted to be a defenseman.
NAM
He is an *elite* player, but at the same time you are not wrong. Most top-heavy teams don’t win cups. Look at EDM, granted they are getting closer and closer, but have also become more deep the last couple of years. They have the best two players in the league and don’t do shit. You are only as good as your bottom players. A balance and depth is a winning formula. Our cup team was exactly that. Two way centers from top to bottom, size speed, great defense, rotate lines and drive hard in waves. Once you get top heavy then it is rely on top 2 lines, hide players that aren’t good, hard to balance during injuries etc. I would rather have two *good fit* mid-tier players than one elite player causing holes elsewhere. KM has never picked up players for fit, always flash.
Pistol Pete
Cup:
Barbashev-Eichel-Marchessault
Howden-Stephenson-Stone
Smith-Karlsson-Amadio
Carrier-Roy-Kolesar
Today (assumes Karlsson out for the season):
Barbashev-Eichel-Stone
Howden-Marner-Dorofeyev
Smith-Hertl-Bowman
Saad/Holtz-Sissons-Kolesar
Karlsson is a huge miss but other than that I don’t see any huge lack of depth or star power compared to the Cup team. The top three lines of six wingers can be juggled around for example switch Stone and Dorofeyev though any of those possible combos need time to develop chemistry ahead of the playoffs. The Cup roster was better especially with Karlsson but we still do have depth and star power imo. They just have to fix the early in the game offense and get back to getting the puck inside and to the net which they have had some success at this season. When a losing streak sets in we tend to forget the successes they have had.
Larry
Chemistry was mentioned, it matters in the locker room and in the community as well.
But where it is vitally essential is where it is most important and that is on the ice and on the bench.
Chemistry CANNOT be attained if lines are not constant, if you do t know where said linemate can be found most times, and where he can find you, crossing the blue line in sync, being a three man cohesive unit, throwing them into a blender during a game does not bode well for the outcome, want to try different combinations then do so at practice time along with being in the video room.
Larry
What a whacked-out season this has been thus far:
1) the defending Presidents Cup team is struggling just to get a sniff of playoff contention
2) the 2 time defending champs are mightily struggling to also get even a sniff of playoff contention
3) the bruins were picked to be cellar dwellers and are flying at the moment
4) the penguins were picked to be even further cellar dwellers and the prospect of trading Crosby to a contender and they are flying high
5) the sabres who haven’t made the playoffs since the start of Obama’s second term are flying high
6) the red wings also out of the playoffs for around 10 years are flying high
7) the Rangers always a contender with high priced talent buried at the bottom of their conference
8) and the first place team in the Pacific Division cannot get out of their own way at the moment, is it even remotely possible if they lose the next 2 games could possibly be sellers at the Deadline, and if they were what could they possibly sell and at what price??
Pistol Pete
Last season the team looked really good in the regular season going 50-22-10 including performing well outside the division, then fell flat in the playoffs. Obviously all these players are aware of the first two periods struggle this regular season though it’s not every game. I don’t see why come these playoffs they can’t play way better than the regular season turning the script on last year. I don’t see why not. Anything can happen. Health is important and frankly with Hill being bad so far and Schmid not that much better (.894) we really need a healthy Carter Hart and for him to become ilke his 2.42/.914 season. A long shot probably. I do think the sub-.900 of Hill and Schmid has contributed to this pattern of falling behind in games. Hart could be better.
Larry
You know my gut feeling on Hart is that he is out for the season after how he was helped down the tunnel, which is a sad prospect.
The one thing that stood out about him was how he handled the puck so confidently , which could only help the defenseman move the puck for cleaner exits, and heaven forbid (lol) a transition opportunity!