LAS VEGAS -- When the Golden Knights traded for Mark Stone in 2019, general manager Kelly McCrimmon knew the franchise landed much more than one of the most talented 200-foot forwards in the NHL.

"That's when I felt we were moving into the contender category," McCrimmon said one day before the Knights opened their postseason series with the Minnesota Wild.

Sure, the Golden Knights had already shocked the hockey world with an impressive run to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season. But, to sustain a certain prowess that allows you to navigate through 82 games annually, to be a perennial favorite, they would need a leader.

"That was a tremendous acquisition," McCrimmon continued. "Fantastic player that makes players better. Really adds a lot to your team, to his linemates, the leadership, he's our captain. The emotional energy that he brings to the team, to a game, what that does for a team.

"He's been everything that we would have ever hoped for, and more."

Since his first game as a Golden Knight, Stone ranks No. 1 with 323 points, along with his team-high 91 power-play points.

He also has a franchise-best 23 game-winning goals, while his +86 margin is fourth behind current Knights Brayden McNabb (+102), William Karlsson (+88) and Shea Theodore (+87).

But it's more than numbers when it comes to the captain.

For instance, his leadership and mere presence couldn't have been any clearer than in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win in Minnesota that evened the opening round series, 2-2.

Just 1:48 into the third period, Wild rookie Zeev Buium gouged the blade of his stick into Stone's eyebrow and sent Vegas' leader to his knees. As he emerged, Stone was bleeding profusely, left the ice immediately, and sprinted down the tunnel once it was determined they couldn't stop the blood flow.

Stitched up and ready to skate, Stone returned to the ice later in the period, knowing the importance of his presence in a game that held even more urgency.

"I think what makes Stoney so great at what he does is he's himself every day," team points leader Jack Eichel said. "His character, and I think his values and his ability to relate to people, he never strays from who he is, he's himself. He doesn't change, he's very honest, he's honest with himself, he's honest with us.

"He's a special guy."

GOLDEN STONE

Bloody eye aside, Stone has dealt with his share of injuries since 2022, including two back surgeries and a lacerated spleen. And yet he's still considered by many as one of the league's best two-way wingers. His fierce tenacity that comes from within is the same vibrant energy displayed after he scores a goal.

It's an energy felt by anyone on the ice, the players on the bench, the roughly 18,000 fans inside T-Mobile Arena every home game, and in living rooms across Southern Nevada with fans glued to their television sets.

"His emotions during the games, it's something special," veteran forward Tomas Hertl said. "I think that's why he's such a good captain, probably one of the best in the league. And he shows it on the ice, off the ice, he cares.

"After every loss, he's pissed. After wins, he's super excited. On the ice, if somebody scores, the emotion you see from him is something special. And you don't see that from many guys. And I think his leadership is really good here. I think that's why the locker room works like (it does), everybody having great time. But when it's time to work, everybody (is) ready to go."

And it's shown.

Since Feb. 26, 2019, his first game with Vegas, the franchise ranks fifth in the NHL with 605 regular-season points, one of only seven teams with 600 or more points, spanning 474 games. Though Stone has played in only 340 of those games, it's his presence and captainship that continues to fuel one of the league's most powerful vessels.

In addition, since Stone started wearing a Knights jersey, Vegas has the fourth-most playoff wins (45), ranks third with 3.20 goals per game, and in allowing 2.47 goals per contest.

Most importantly, getting back to McCrimmon's notion, the 32-year-old captained the Knights to a Stanley Cup title in 2023, fulfilling owner Bill Foley's goal of the franchise doing so by its sixth year in the league.

"I've been around a lot of leaders, and he's obviously the best captain that I've played with," Eichel said. "I think he exemplifies what it means to be a leader. He's just such a great guy, too. Somebody enjoy being around.

"Obviously his play on the ice, I think, speaks for itself. But I think what he means to our locker room and the organization goes far beyond that. We're really lucky to have him."

THE ROLE

Stone, the franchise's first and only captain, understands and appreciates the 'C' he wears on his sweater, but said he doesn't overthink the role, knowing how important all the personalities in the room have become as McCrimmon annually constructs the roster.

When the team is experiencing a lull, or certain players might be in scoring droughts, Stone said there's no elixir as a captain to fix things. It's more about providing support and simply being there for a teammate like anyone else in the room might do.

"I don't think I've really done much different than anything that I've done in the five years that I've been the captain," Stone said. "I don't think it's been much. We've had a lot of guys kind of elevate their games in times where we needed it. I haven't really changed anything, to be honest with you, I don't think I've had to."

As the Golden Knights maneuver their way through another postseason, which has come down to a best-of-three series with the Wild, Stone said if there's one thing he's become appreciative of when it comes to learning new things, it's observing his teammates evolve their game by coming into their own and playing to their potential during the grind of an 82-game season.

"Whether it's elevated roles, or maybe you see a guy bring a little more than he has in the past, I think we've had that this season," said Stone, who is signed with the Golden Knights through the 2026-27 season. "I think that's the only thing that I noticed that's a ton different throughout a season, is guys elevate their games, they rise in the lineup I guess you could say. I think that's been mostly the things that I noticed throughout the years. You find different things out about different about people."

And it's those teammates who are elevating their games that give Stone credit for helping them evolve.

"I think it was bound for him to be captain, I think it was an obvious choice," said Brayden McNabb, one of four original Knights on the roster. "He's meant everything to this city, and the team. He's a good friend, great leader, and his play on the ice shows. He's a very smart player. If you have any questions in terms of hockey in your game or anything like that, he's a very smart guy. He sees the game well, and he can analyze the game very well, and he's fun to be around."

Added veteran defenseman Noah Hannifin: "He's just one of those guys that comes to the rink, he does his job hard every single day, leads by example, and when he speaks everybody listens. I think for me, those are usually the most impactful types of leadership. Sets the example for us every day. And obviously, he's a winner. Just a great guy to have in the room, great teammate, we all love him here."

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.