Vegas Golden Knights Sign Captain Mark Stone to Two-Year Extension
Vegas Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon announced on September 12, 2026, that the franchise signed team captain Mark Stone to a two-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $9 million, securing the forward through the 2028-29 NHL season. Entering his ninth year in Vegas, the 34-year-old winger agreed to a deal carrying a slightly lower cap hit than his previous $9.5 million AAV contract, avoiding unrestricted free agency at the end of the upcoming campaign.
Front-Office Cap Mechanics and Valuation
Stone’s extension keeps the veteran locked in as the team’s third-highest-paid player, sitting well below the major salary figures tied to teammates like Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner. Projecting forward into the 2027-28 season when the extension officially kicks in, team financial commitments stand at $86.8 million with seven forwards, five defensemen, and one goaltender already under contract.
https://x.com/GoldenKnights/status/2098803835678699955
| Contract Metric | Previous Deal | New Extension |
|---|---|---|
| Average Annual Value (AAV) | $9.5 million | $9.0 million |
| Term Length | Expired 2026-27 | Through 2028-29 |
| Player Age at Signing | 31 (approx.) | 34 |
On-Ice Performance and Franchise History
Stone remains a foundational pillar for the roster, leading all franchise skaters in several historic categories since his acquisition from the Ottawa Senators on February 25, 2019. Over 400 regular-season games in Vegas, the Winnipeg native has accumulated 396 points and a +112 rating. He tops the organization in power-play goals (37), power-play points (118), game-winning goals (27), and total takeaways (401). His 1.00 takeaways per game rate since joining the club paces the entire NHL.
Coming off the 2025-26 regular season, Stone matched a career high by posting 73 points across 60 contests. His 1.22 points-per-game average ranked 11th among all league skaters, complemented by a seven-goal streak that tied the longest stretch in franchise history. Beyond the regular schedule, Stone holds the franchise record for postseason scoring with 84 points and 43 goals in 102 playoff games. He served as a core leader during the team’s 2023 Stanley Cup run, cementing his legacy by recording a hat trick in Game 5 against the Florida Panthers to clinch the championship.
Health, Durability, and Future Outlook
While durability remains the primary variable for the veteran forward—who turns 35 in May—his production shows zero sign of regression. Addressing reporters during his end-of-season press conference on June 16, Stone dismissed retirement rumors. “I want to keep playing as long as I can,” he stated. “I know there’s been a lot of talk about me cutting it down, but I have no intention of that. I’m going to keep playing until I’m ready to call it, and I’m not ready to call it.”
