Mark Stone wants to ‘retire a Knight,’ but not any time soon

Mark Stone says he envisions ending his career as a Vegas Golden Knight, though he insists that day is still far off. “My program is to discontinue a Knight, but I anticipation I tin play beyond this,” Stone said. “I program to play beyond this.” The 34‑year‑old captain entered the current campaign without wondering when a new contract might arrive. On Saturday he put pen to paper on a two‑year extension carrying a $9 million cap hit. The deal makes him the first captain in franchise history to be set for the final year of an eight‑year, $76 million pact that began when the Knights acquired him from the Ottawa Senators in a February 2019 trade. Stone called the agreement a relief. “It’s 1 of those things wherever it tin sometimes resistance out, but it’s ever bully to get it done going into the play and not worrying astir it,” Stone said. “I’m gladsome it’s implicit with.” He arrives after producing a career‑high 73 points in 60 games, one of the finest outputs of his tenure. Yet the season marked his fifth straight year hampered by injury. Stone missed 16 games in October with a broken finger, five more in March due to a lower‑body issue, and then tore his left adductor during the second round of the playoff series against Anaheim before returning for the Western Conference Final. Despite the setbacks, Stone has no intention of stepping away soon. He reiterated that stance on Thursday. “I deliberation I’m going to play 3 much years. I mightiness beryllium successful this aforesaid concern successful 3 years,” Stone said. “A batch of things tin hap successful 3 years, but I’m much focused connected this time and knowing I’ll astatine slightest beryllium present for 3 years.” Securing Stone’s extension addressed one of the Knights’ most pressing roster matters. Vegas now has five pending unrestricted free agents, with center William Karlsson identified as the next prominent name requiring attention. The NHL’s projected salary‑cap ceiling for the upcoming season is $113.5 million, an increase of $9.5 million over the current limit. Stone’s new deal carries a $9 million cap hit—$500,000 below his previous $9.5 million figure—providing the club with added flexibility. Vegas is expected to have roughly $21.5 million of cap space next summer, which could be used to extend Karlsson or pursue other moves. General manager Kelly McCrimmon praised Stone’s influence. “He’s our affectional leader,” wide manager Kelly McCrimmon said connected Thursday. “We were truly excited to support him arsenic portion of our enactment for this year. He feels great. He’s had 1 of his champion years past year. We’re thrilled with his level of play, his enact