Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) takes a shot prior to an NHL Hockey preseason game against the San Jose Sharks at T-Mobile Arena Friday, Sept. 30. 2022.
Published Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022 | 2 a.m.
Updated Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022 | 2 a.m.
Offseason struggles and changes
Mark Stone could barely walk to the visitor’s locker room of Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles because of this injury.
The Golden Knights captain compared the back pain he felt during the second game of the 2021-22 season to that of being electroshocked. A similar back pain would persist, as Stone was only able to play 37 games — part of a rash of injuries experienced by Vegas in a season that ended without a playoff appearance for the first time in the franchise’s five-year existence.
After undergoing back surgery in May — termed a lumbar discectomy — Stone says he feels great as the Golden Knights open their sixth season tonight back in Los Angeles against the Kings.
What a difference one year makes.
“It’s night and day,” Stone said. “The nerve pain’s gone, thank God. I’ve never gone through that in my life before.”
The closest Stone made to playing a full season was the 56-game COVID year in 2021, when he played all but one game. That postseason is when these back troubles began, notably in the Stanley Cup semifinals against Montreal.
There were times last season whenStone didn’t look like himself, especially defensively. Offensively, he still contributed 30 points in those 37 games, but the back pain was clearly limiting.
Stone tried to return at the end of last season to help the Vegas playoff push but had just two points in the nine games and was shut down for the season.
“I’m four months in. I think the rehab process is three-and-a-half on the short end, five on the long end,” Stone said. “I think I definitely fit somewhere in between there.”
Stone consulted with players around the league before getting the procedure done.
It was a small incision in his back to remove a small build-up of calcified fluid that was pressing against the nerve.
The avid golfer won’t be able to pick up the clubs any time soon, but playing hockey on time — and having a few preseason games under his belt — is a good start.
“He’s just long. He’s hard to check that way when he gets it off his stick,” coach Bruce Cassidy said of Stone. “I assume he’ll only get better with reps. He’s missed a lot of hockey. The quicker he gets better, the better it’ll be for us.”
It all starts tonight in Los Angeles.
“We’ve got so many guys who missed time last year,” Stone said. “It’s a big season for us. Getting everyone back in the mix and gelling back together will be good for us.”
Hague gets contract
Hours prior to the league’s 2 p.m. deadline to file opening-night rosters, the Golden Knights signed defenseman Nic Hague to a three-year contract extension (average annual value: $2,294,150).
The restricted free agent had been in Ontario skating on his own as he awaited a breakthrough between his representatives and Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon.
Hague will join the team in Los Angeles but will not play.
“We’re pleased. He’s a big part of the team,” Cassidy said. “Hopefully he’ll get up to speed quickly. He’s been skating back home, so I don’t think it’ll be a long process.”
Restricted free agents without arbitration rights like Hague almost exclusively negotiate with the teams they were with the previous season.
The 23-year-old Hague is a homegrown talent, having been selected with the 34th overall pick in the 2017 draft — the first time the franchise drafted — and playing in 142 career games.
Once Hague returns to game action, he will re-take his spot on the third defense pairing next to Zach Whitecloud. Ben Hutton will eventually move to the seventh spot on the depth chart as a healthy scratch.
Carrier’s status in the air
Fourth-line forward William Carrier has been dealing with a middle-body injury since the beginning of the preseason, and it doesn’t appear he will be ready for tonight’s game.
Preseason standout Paul Cotter will make the opening-night roster and fill Carrier’s spot at left wing, skating with Nicolas Roy and Keegan Kolesar.
“Paul had an opportunity. I wouldn’t say one door closes, one door opens, but Will got hurt,” Cassidy said. “There’s an opportunity to play some extra games. He showed a lot in his play.”
Cotter was third on the team in points during the preseason with five, trailing only top-liners Jack Eichel (seven) and Reilly Smith (eight).
While showing a scoring touch, Cotter has showcased his effort and hustle in a more prioritized checking role on the fourth line. He could be someone who plays his way up the lineup if he continues that pace.
Upcoming schedule
• 7 p.m. tonight at Los Angeles, ESPN (Cox 30, DirecTV 206)
• 7 p.m. Thursday vs. Chicago, AT&T SportsNet (Cox 313, DirecTV 674)
• 7 p.m. Saturday at Seattle, AT&T SportsNet (Cox 313, DirecTV 674)
